Sustainability and ESG regulations, which are increasingly stringent and pervasive in the corporate landscape, are redefining the paradigms of supply chain models. In a context where many regulations have already been introduced, and many others are being reviewed and approved especially at the European Community level, proactive strategies must be adopted to adapt to changes and market needs. This topic is particularly relevant to the world of luxury and fashion, which has complex and globally branched supply chains. The subject was discussed at the “Sustain the future. Sustainability and Traceability in Fashion & Luxury” conference sponsored by Tesisquare on 14 March. Before an audience of professionals, speeches were delivered by Emilio Cogliati, Principal Director of Fashion & Luxury Industry at Accenture, Camillo Zana, Founder of Normatec, Gianluca Giaccardi, Chief Product Officer at Tesisquare, Alberto Proverbio, Senior Advisor at Tesisquare, and Margherita Pero, Full Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at the Polytechnic University of Milan, while the panel discussion featured international brands such as Bulgari Profumi, Tod’s and Prada Group, which presented their case histories.
The challenge, not only for the fashion industry but for all companies, will be to manage – in an increasingly transparent and detailed manner – a mass of data that will be required for the purposes of reporting, transparency throughout the supply chain and the digital passport that will trace the entire product life cycle.
According to Alberto Proverbio, there is a need for traceability along the entire supply chain, from sourcing and supplier selection to after-sales. In this context, Proverbio stresses, it is crucial not only to know your direct suppliers, but also your suppliers’ suppliers, in order to ensure a transparent and responsible supply chain.
In production processes, ESG regulations require a direct link between batches of raw materials and finished products, ensuring traceability and compliance with environmental and social standards. Moreover, in after-sales processes regulations focus on extending the product life cycle and on sustainable waste management, promoting a circular approach to the economy. Traceability and digital passports offer companies tangible benefits, reducing operational risk, while protecting the brand and enhancing its value. Companies that adopt sustainable practices can also enjoy a competitive advantage, attract environmentally conscious consumers and create long-term value for stakeholders.
In addition to the digital passport, other regulations such as due diligence, which has already been adopted in Germany – the Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz was passed in June 2022 and came into force on 1 January 2023 for German companies with at least 3,000 employees – and is set to be adopted at European level, require a higher degree of responsibility throughout the supply chain. This multilevel approach requires companies to establish criteria and policies for assessing and monitoring raw material procurement, ensuring compliance with EGS standards. Sustainability issues and ESG regulations therefore have an undeniable and evolving impact on supply chain models. Companies must adopt a holistic and proactive approach, investing in digital technologies and collaborating with the entire ecosystem to ensure a transparent and responsible supply chain. This is the only way they can seize growth opportunities and create long-term value for all stakeholders involved.
Source: pambianconews.com
