Apparel and textile companies recognize consumers’ concerns around chemicals in their clothing and are taking steps to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals altogether.
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At the start of the new year, we recommend three responsible sourcing guidelines to help you make real and tangible progress towards your goals.
Despite a tumultuous and challenging year, sustainable and responsible sourcing has remained a long-term priority for businesses. Supplier collaboration, supply chain digitization, and a clear understanding of “responsible sourcing” are all important to ensure ethical business operations. Here are our top 10 blog posts of 2020.
While many advances have been made in terms of supply chain traceability, there is still more to be done. As the industry continues to evolve to a point where traceability is easily achieved—for all products, across all tiers, down to the farm—businesses can, in the meantime, work within the current context. We look at how businesses can approach their traceability journey in a way that balances today’s realities with tomorrow’s bold food safety goals.
We believe there is a fundamental shift happening towards greater corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The investment community’s increased emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) is strong evidence of just how fundamental this shift is.
Consumer interest in sustainable and ethical products has expanded beyond the food & beverage and fashion industries. Today, more and more shoppers are taking a closer look at the origins behind all the products in their households, including wood and paper-based products. These goods form a considerable part of our daily lives and can found all over our homes, from the furniture we buy to the packaging of many household products. Consumers looking to deepen their commitment to sustainability are seeking wood and paper-based goods that comply with their values.
Beyond supply chain transparency, supplier collaboration plays a huge role in ensuring supply chain integrity and enabling greater communication and visibility. Collaboration between a buyer and supplier creates a strategic partnership that ultimately helps both parties achieve business objectives and meet new supply chain expectations.
In response to consumer demand for more “responsible” products, businesses have made commitments to ensure their supply chains are sustainable and ethical. But these terms have varied interpretations. What does it mean for a business to be “sustainable”? What constitutes “ethical” and “responsible” practices? How do companies interpret these terms differently? Responsible business is a broad term that has several dimensions.
In today’s climate, it may seem that sustainability is no longer a business priority. Companies have shifted their focus to respond to both a global health pandemic and a social movement of unprecedented scale. With businesses needing to adjust their supply chains, adapt to dramatic changes in demand, and reassess budgets and internal business practices, where does this leave corporate commitments for more sustainable supply chains?
Discussions around supply chain transparency generally focus on brands and retailers—namely, those who directly interact with consumers and whose reputations are at stake when it comes to commitments for responsible sourcing. However, brands and retailers work with many suppliers who form the backbone of their supply chains. Collaboration with these suppliers is important to ensure brand and retailer supply chains meet commitments for transparency, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. The willingness to be transparent about their supply chains, share data with their clients, and implement responsible practices leads to significant benefits for suppliers both in the immediate and long term.
