Provenance Verification Enhances Risk Management in Fashion Supply Chains
The fashion industry is increasingly adopting traceability systems to improve supply chain transparency. However, recent analysis shows that the percentage of brands using prohibited cotton has risen from 64% to 90% between 2024 and 2025, highlighting gaps in current methods like self-reporting and certificates which can be unreliable. Gemma Lynch, Chief Customer Officer at Oritain, emphasizes that traditional compliance systems are struggling to keep up with evolving risks. Companies have diversified their sourcing strategies but geographic shifts alone do not eliminate underlying supply chain vulnerabilities. Complex global networks mean prohibited materials may still enter undetected. Regulatory pressures such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and EU regulations demand stronger due diligence, pushing brands toward more robust verification systems that provide objective evidence rather than just paper trails.
Topics: compliance risks fashion industry supply chain transparency traceability technology