The electronic traceability system for certified materials at Textile Exchange has now been made commercially available for the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Content Standard (RCS).
- The system, called eTrackit, delivers granular traceability to Textile Exchange’s material standards. It sits alongside dTrackit as part of the Trackit traceability offering.
- The two systems aim to increase efficiency throughout the supply chain while also providing brands with the verified data they need to make confident product claims.
- This is part of Textile Exchange’s work to accelerate the adoption of preferred materials with beneficial outcomes by further strengthening integrity in its standards.
The system: The eTrackit system works by electronically tracking certified materials for each key product transformation, as well as every time products are transacted between a seller and a buyer.
- Business rules are built into the system, and inventories are transacted in real-time to reduce operational processing and data turnaround time.
- The eTransactions establish material accounting at the article level throughout the supply chain, which are dual verified by peer-to-peer validation and third-party certification body transaction approval.
- Each kilogram of certified material is traced, providing real-time visibility of certified inventory transfers in a closed-loop supply chain.
The registration: Eligible, certified brands can register for eTrackit and begin the process of supply chain mapping. Eligible, certified brands will need to undergo a supply chain discovery phase with Textile Exchange prior to using the system.
- In this initial rollout, the system is available for the GRS and RCS standards, and so brands must be certified to the GRS and/or RCS to use eTrackit.
- Once registered, certified organisations can apply for eTransactions, which the system will authenticate against the permissible scope, as well as their available inventory, and their adherence to content and standard requirements.
Validated eTransactions are then passed on to certification bodies for verification and approval. eTransactions will be generated from January 2024.
Going ahead: The eTrackit’s initial release application is powered by the traceability platform TextileGenesis. However, Textile Exchange will continue to develop pathways under the Trackit umbrella as the system evolves, collaborating with further solution providers and stakeholders who are working with other traceability solutions.
- Work is also under way to expand Trackit to include a wider selection of standards. Currently, the Responsible Animal Fiber Standards (RAF) and the Organic Content Standard (OCS) are in the pilot phase, with commercial application planned for 2024.
