Sustainability in fashion – Sri Lanka apparel and textile pilot
The fashion industry is a global focus for concerns around its environmental and social impacts. Growing awareness of sustainability issues has increased the demand for transparency in the supply chain. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulatory measures have intensified, requiring manufacturers to comply with standards to access European Union and United States markets.
The Sri Lanka Apparel and Textile Case Study was initiated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and led by GS1 New Zealand, in collaboration with a consortium including GS1 Hong Kong and GS1 Global Office. This pilot aimed to test the global digital exchange of ESG data using GS1 standards including GS1 2D barcodes (specifically QR Codes with GS1 Digital Link). Such next-generation barcodes can be scanned with a smartphone, linking users (supply chain partners, regulators and consumers) to multiple online data sources. The goal was to provide supply chain participants with access to ESG data and guidance on scaling the application of GS1 standards.
The pilot also aligned with GS1’s global transition from traditional linear barcodes to 2D barcodes. When encoded with a GS1 Digital Link, these 2D barcodes enable consumers and regulators to access ESG information such as material types, recycling instructions, customs import codes and more. The success of the case study pilot has positioned GS1 New Zealand to support members exchanging product data (e.g. ESG and certification) with international organisations and consumers in export markets.
GS1 Digital Link standard
In collaboration with Sri Lankan manufacturers, the pilot tested the GS1 Digital Link standard for sharing ESG supply chain information across the World Wide Web. A prototype demonstrator was developed using a data model created during the project. By using GS1’s Digital Link, multiple ESG data sources were integrated and dynamically updated as supply chain data changed. This scalable solution uses Global Data Standards and World Wide Web protocols to share data. The GS1 Digital Link standard is currently in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) application process to become recognised as an open, international ISO standard.
Digital Product Passport data model
Digital Product Passports are included in a new European Union legislative framework - the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. A Digital Product Passport is a digital record that provides comprehensive information about a product and its entire value chain. To evaluate the feasibility of obtaining and sharing ESG data, the project team developed a model of the information attributes likely required for the European Union Digital Product Passports. The digital sharing of ESG, product, supply chain, and environmental disclosures was demonstrated in GS1’s Digital Link prototype demonstrator, accessible via a QR code. To realise the vision of the Digital Product Passport, simple methods for aggregating, updating, and scaling the sharing of this data are critical for transitioning to a circular supply chain model. Using GS1’s Digital Link to pass this data downstream to brand owners, regulators, and consumers streamlines these data exchange processes. The next step will be to engage with leading apparel industry and regulatory authorities to gather feedback on whether the ESG data approach meets the needs of the European Digital Product Passport.