The UN Economic Commission for Europe, the European Commission, the International Labor Organization, the International Trade Center and private sector partners are developing a traceability tool.
The tool aims at helping the fashion sector make risk-informed decisions and operate according to a set of internationally agreed practices. The overall aim is to guide value chains toward more responsible production and consumption patterns. The tool will feature a technical global standard for the traceability of sustainable value chains in the sector that will address the entire life-cycle of products. Development of a traceability standard and implementation guidelines are key for enhancing transparency and traceability.

Momentum to address traceability and sustainability in the fashion and garment industry has been increasing. In 2017, 100 major fashion brands expressed a commitment to sustainable fashion, recognizing the importance of enhancing the traceability and transparency of fashion value chains to promote more sustainable production patterns. But just a few companies have traceability systems in place. Benefits of traceability include building trust with consumers, developing networks among clients and suppliers and identifying opportunities for efficient and sustainable management of resources. Tracking and tracing the value chain makes sustainability claims more credible. However just a few companies have traceability systems in place.