Traceability
Traceability is a system that refers to the state of recording the history of fabric and product raw materials, production, processing, distribution, and other stages so they can be traced and verified as needed.
Contents6 sections
Relationship Between Definition and Certification
Traceability is the concept of making it possible to follow the history from the source of raw materials through spinning, weaving or knitting, dyeing and finishing, sewing, and distribution. What needs to be confirmed, and to what extent, depends on the material, the trading partner, and the requirements of the system or certification.
Traceability itself is not the name of a certification or a legal regulation. Some certification systems require retention of transaction records and certificates in order to verify that certified raw materials were properly controlled during processing.
Scope and Verification Criteria
The scope includes the type and origin of the raw materials, inclusion of recycled materials, manufacturers, processing locations, lots, and shipping and receiving records. In some cases, the scope of traceability may be limited to only the outer fabric or only specific fibers, rather than the entire product.
In verification, clarify the starting point and end point of the traceable process, the documents required at each stage, and how lots are managed when they are mixed or split. The expression “traceable” alone does not necessarily mean that the origin of the raw materials or the entire process is known.
- Scope of the target material and target process
- Lot numbers for raw materials, fabric, and products
- Transaction documents and certificates received from suppliers
- Records of outsourced processing and sewing
- Record retention period and inquiry method
Practical Operations in Fabric Procurement and Product Manufacturing
When procuring fabric, in addition to the material name and blend ratio, confirm with the supplier what claim the traceability is intended to support. For recycled materials, organic materials, animal-derived materials, and the like, the required scope of proof may differ.
In product manufacturing, manage the fabric roll number or incoming lot together with the cut-and-sewn product lot. When multiple fabrics or accessories are used, distinguishing which component the information applies to in specifications or management sheets makes it easier to verify during inquiries.
Notes on Labels and Certificates
If origin or certification is mentioned on hangtags, product descriptions, care tags, or similar items, confirm the name on the certificate, the applicable item, the applicable lot, and its validity. Be careful, because a certificate for fabric does not necessarily permit the same claim to be used on the finished product.
Displaying a certification name may require the display criteria of each system, approval procedures, and transaction certificates. Even when presenting traceability information, it is important not to assert environmental impact or social responsibility beyond the scope of facts that can be confirmed.
Differences from Similar Terms
GRS and GOTS are systems that certify based on certain standards. Traceability, by contrast, refers to the property and management system that allows the history of raw materials and processes to be tracked. Even if a certification has been obtained, the range that can be verified varies depending on the system and trading conditions.
Care tag and country of origin labeling are systems and labels for indicating information required by consumers. Traceability helps verify the basis for such labeling, but it does not by itself guarantee the content of labeling obligations or the performance or safety of the material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fabric with traceability certified fabric?
Not necessarily. Traceability refers to a state in which the history can be tracked, while certification is a system in which a third party verifies conformity with established standards. The presence or absence of certification, the certification name, and the target material or lot are confirmed separately.
What is checked in the traceability of recycled materials?
The origin of the recycled material, the recycling process, transaction and processing records from raw material to fabric, and the relevant lot are confirmed. If the recycled material blend ratio is indicated, documents supporting that figure and the labeling conditions for the finished product must also be confirmed.
Can a fabric certificate be used for the finished product as well?
A fabric certificate alone does not necessarily allow certification labeling or claims for the finished product. Some systems require management of later processes such as sewing and transaction documents. Before labeling, confirm the system’s labeling rules, the scope covered by the certificate, and the brand’s management procedures.
