Melbourne, Australia – The fashion industry is on the brink of a significant transformation. With evolving global regulations, particularly the European Union’s Green New Deal which includes the requirement for all textile products to carry a Digital Product Passport (DPP) by 2030, traceability is no longer optional. Brands that fail to embrace sustainable practices and demonstrate traceability will soon find themselves struggling to compete in global markets.
By 2030, all textile products sold in the EU will be required to include a DPP, providing consumers with detailed insights into the product’s origin, materials, environmental impact and circularity. This push towards transparency reflects a broader global trend of market access based on product compliance and supply chain visibility. Australian businesses aiming to compete on the global stage should begin investing in traceability now.
“Traceability is not just a trend—it’s a business imperative,” notes Marie Kinsella, the CEO of the International Expo Group, organisers of the Global Sourcing Expo – an event dedicated to the fashion and textile industry. “Consumers are more conscious than ever about the lifecycle of the products they buy, and businesses must respond by ensuring their operations are transparent and sustainable. This is why the upcoming Global Sourcing Seminars will unpack traceability and sustainability, giving attendees a clear roadmap to navigate this new industry landscape”.
The Global Sourcing Seminar series, taking place at the upcoming Global Sourcing Expo in Melbourne (19-21 November 2024, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre), will bring together industry experts to discuss the latest advancements in traceability. Among the standout seminar sessions is one led by Melinda Tually, Director of Ndless: The New Normal and a leading expert in ethical sourcing and sustainability. Her session, titled “Tools to Trace: Regulatory Demands Require Real-Time Traceability. Are You Prepared?”, promises to be an essential guide for businesses looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Unpacking key insights
In her seminar session, Melinda will be joined by specialists from Retraced and Fibretrace to explore the importance of traceability, focusing on how businesses can implement systems and adopt technology solutions to comply with emerging global regulations across Europe and the US. This seminar will highlight the role of DPPs as well as reporting obligations requiring traceability and risk assessments under a broader legal regime across Europe and the US. These include France’s AGEC law (Anti Waste for a Circular Economy), Europe’s human rights and environmental due diligence legislation such as the CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive), CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the EUDR (EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products), as well as forced labour laws in the US. The panel will offer practical guidance on how brands can ready themselves for this profound change to the way the apparel industry does business.
Whether demonstrating cotton provenance for exports to the US, publishing supplier locations for laws in the EU, or collecting environmental data for carbon reporting, digital mapping of the supply chain beyond the first tier is now essential for regulatory compliance.
The EU Digital Product Passport initiative is part of a worldwide effort to make the entire lifecycle of products—from sourcing and manufacturing to environmental impact—fully transparent. For brands, this means a fundamental shift in how they manage their supply chains. Understanding the new laws and adapting business practices will be crucial for staying ahead in this rapidly evolving industry.
“Traceability is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a business necessity and requirement for market access,” says Melinda. “Every business with an international presence needs to invest in their supply chain now. These requirements can take years to implement and will open up a range of opportunities beyond compliance for those who are proactive.”
With over a decade of experience advising leading brands across Australia and New Zealand, Melinda has earned accolades for her work, including a Churchill Fellowship and a Good Design Australia award. Her expertise in sustainability, together with her leadership at Fashion Revolution Australia, makes her an authoritative voice in this space.
“The shift from voluntary to mandatory sustainability due diligence is intended to change the way we do business to ensure greater equity for everyone across the supply chain. It’s going to take time to transition a traditionally opaque industry to one that is traceable and transparent but these new regulatory frameworks will pave the way for the delivery of true impact on human rights and environmental risks.”
The upcoming Global Sourcing Seminars, taking place from 19-21 November 2024 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, present attendees with the insights and practical guidance needed to stay up-to-date with traceability trends. Melinda’s seminar is an opportunity to learn how to meet the growing expectations of conscious consumers and stay compliant with upcoming regulations.
