Improving transparency and traceability is a priority for companies in the garment and footwear industry to manage value chains more effectively and comply with due diligence requirements to address human rights and environmental impacts and embrace sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Advanced technologies like blockchain can accelerate the transition towards more responsible and circular business models by connecting all actors of the value chain. Such visibility supports accountability and market access for compliant actors in advanced and emerging economies.
This lab debate focused on opportunities to scale-up impactful solutions illustrated by lessons learned and best practices from UNECE’s Proof-of-Concept with blockchain pilots for sustainability in textiles.
Synopsis
Speakers stated that supply chains in the textile industry are global, complex and opaque. This generates tremendous waste and encourages greenwashing.
Technology such as DNA markers, RFID codes and NFC chips are already being used to ensure traceability from raw materials all the way to brands. Blockchain technology further enables easy collection and secure storage of information, thus democratising the supply chain and increasing automation. However, there needs to be more interoperability between these systems.
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