Roundtable "Smart Tech: Revolutionizing the Product Journey" - PREMIERE VISION PARIS

e-SCM team participated in the round table "Smart Tech: revolutionizing the product journey" at the  PREMIERE VISION PARIS , at the Villepinte Paris Nord exhibition center, dedicated to Fashion professionals.

The journey of a product, from concept to consumer, is being scrutinized more closely than ever. Proof of origin, the fight against counterfeiting, environmental sustainability, and data-driven ethics..

The round table, moderated by Ben Hanson, editor-in-chief of The Interline, brought together experts from different backgrounds to discuss how technology can provide answers to key questions being asked at the fashion level at the product level ( Crystalchain,  Sourcemap,  Pivot88 , Retraced,  e-SCM) .

Pantxika Ospital, a PhD student within the e-SCM , was able to contribute her expertise on the following points:

• Why has the fashion industry had so much trouble gathering the supply chain data it needs to disclose in digital product passports?

The history of fashion has accelerated over the past 40 years with the offshoring of production. While luxury and high-end brands retain their manufacturing facilities, mid-range brands have gradually distanced themselves from production and creativity by outsourcing the creation of their collections. Many brands purchase finished products and lack knowledge of the processes, materials, and components used in their products. They need to better understand and communicate with their suppliers to ensure that the products align with their values, commitments, and specifications. Data is most reliable when collected at each stage, not just after the fact.

• Is the fashion industry adequately prepared for the speed at which legislation will progress from now on?

“The AGEC law is at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now, but it is only the latest in a series of developments that are leading, over time, to an increasingly thorough examination of the product’s journey and the brands behind it. Due diligence has been mandatory in France for at least five years, and stricter standards for product information disclosure will soon be introduced at the European Union level.”.

Due diligence requires companies to know their suppliers. Looking at the requirements of the AGEC law , one might think the information is relatively simple and that the requirements will increase. This information concerns the product as a whole: content of recycled materials, synthetic materials, recyclability, and traceability of the main countries of manufacture.

Regarding environmental labeling , which comes into effect next year, life cycle analysis requires more precise information on the manufacturing process and the composition of each component. It's difficult for brands to know the countries where the different stages of production take place, and this is all happening within six months, as the decree was enacted in April for implementation in January. We can see in stores that some brands are not yet compliant. It must be said that the collection calendar doesn't align with the one required by law. As for the production schedule, there's no fast fashion; a year can pass between design and sale in stores. We recommend that brands prepare and equip themselves accordingly, as this takes time .

The talk highlighted the importance of adopting technological solutions, such as e-SCM, to address the challenges of the fashion and textile industry.