Supply Compass, a product development and production management platform, has launched a new Certification Guide to help fashion firms navigate the sustainable production landscape.
In addition, the company, based in London and India, has published five Sustainable Materials Guides to help navigate the environmental choices when selecting design and manufacturing ingredients.
In the Certification Guide, Supply Compass rounded up the top industry supply-chain certifications and standards, including leading audits, to steer companies and supply-chain executives through the sustainable production landscape. These certifications represent different aspects of ethical, sustainable, and transparent fashion and home goods manufacturing.
These include certifications and standards cover fair labor practices and social concerns, including animal welfare and environment impact. Supply Compass said the industry certifications are important because they prevent greenwashing, allow for greater transparency by ensuring materials and traders are audited by a third party, and help raise awareness about sustainability and fair practices in the industry.
The new Supply Compass Sustainable Materials Guides separately cover leather, polyester, cotton, viscose and leather alternatives. For example, the cotton guide features key material properties, the difference between conventional and organic, and how to design a collection with this coveted material.
The leather guide includes key considerations when designing a collection with leather, such as the leather supply-chain process and exploring the different types of leather available. The leather alternatives guide has an overview on materials that mimic leather without the animal welfare and environmental concerns, such as polyurethane, fish skin, coconut, apple, pineapple, mushroom, cork, cactus and wine.
Supply Compass’ cloud-based software digitizes global supply chains to make sustainable sourcing easier and more cost effective. The platform enables brands to manage the entire product development, sourcing and production process, from design to delivery, in one place.
The company has built a network of more than 200 supply-chain partners, including manufacturers, mills and suppliers. The majority of its network is in India, with some strategically placed partners in Portugal, Nepal, China and Spain.