The Global Sourcing Expo 2024 in Melbourne is set to highlight traceability as a critical factor in the fashion industry’s future. From November 19-21, industry leaders will gather to discuss the implications of new global regulations, including the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) mandate, which will require all textile products sold in the EU to include detailed traceability by 2030.
Marie Kinsella, CEO of the International Expo Group, underscores the importance of transparency for brands, highlighting traceability as a vital business requirement. She notes that today’s consumers increasingly seek information about the lifecycle of the products they purchase, making it essential for brands to adopt traceability practices to remain competitive in the market.
At the expo, seminars will provide insights on sustainable sourcing, led by experts like Melinda Tually, Director of Ndless: The New Normal and an authority on ethical sourcing. Her seminar, ‘Tools to trace: Regulatory demands require real-time traceability. Are uou prepared?’ will offer guidance on implementing traceability systems and navigating upcoming legal obligations.
Tually’s session, which includes contributions from traceability tech leaders Retraced and Fibretrace, will cover implementing DPPs and managing compliance with various global laws, including France’s AGEC law and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).
For Australian brands, complying with these evolving frameworks means mapping entire supply chains, beyond just the first tier, to comply with US forced labor laws, EU human rights and environmental due diligence standards, and rising carbon reporting obligations.
As traceability becomes crucial for compliance, Melinda Tually emphasizes the need for brands to adopt digital mapping beyond first-tier suppliers to fulfill carbon reporting and other regulatory requirements. Tually highlights that traceability is now essential for market access, with these frameworks pushing for a transparent supply chain that promotes equity and mitigates environmental risks.
Attendees of the Global Sourcing Seminars will gain practical insights to adapt to these changes, ensuring they remain competitive in a market where transparency and sustainability are paramount.
