As well as evolving consumer preferences and new investment criteria from financial institutions, it is the plethora of environmental legislation on the horizon shaping retailers’ green thinking right now.
As British Retail Consortium food & sustainability director, Andrew Opie, said at the Retail Technology Show in April: “Five to ten years ago the focus was on consumers and how to take them with you.
“As well as the customer right at the heart of everything you do, we’ve got the added pressure from regulators and the financial institutions.”
In light of recent new environment legislation and the promise of more to come, supply chain software company Segura has published a comprehensive guide to help the industry prepare for what is needed now and what lies ahead. It is called ‘A Guide to Key Global Laws & Regulations Affecting Textile Supply Chains’.
Segura, which has developed a system enabling retailers to better map and increase transparency in their supply chains, said environmental legislation to be aware of includes the tightening of the Competition and Markets Authority’s ‘Green Claims Code’. This has been established to detract brands from making spurious eco claims that mislead consumers.
Extended Producer Responsibility, which will dictate that producers pay the full net cost of managing and recycling the packaging waste they bring into the world, is also on the cards for later this year. And further down the line, retailers are going to have to prove they are operating with deforestation-free supply chains.
In the Segura guide, which was composed in association with Segura’s fashion retail partners such as River Island and Fred Perry, retailers can read all about the laws and legislation in detail and understand how they need to prepare.
The Segura guide provides a matrix, broken down country by country, highlighting the environmental legislation retailers need to consider as they look to prove their eco credentials and support society’s push to reduce its impact on the planet.
Patrick Wall, the founder and former boss of supply chain shipping software company Metapack, but who is now CEO of Segura, said: “For many years legislation has continued to grow, and the landscape will develop further, especially with the introduction of the Digital Product Passport.
“Retailers must engage with their suppliers on a deeper level and, in turn, suppliers need to maintain and provide the information that retailers will require. In order to move towards a sustainable approach, retailers and brands need to work towards legislative compliance. This is not only limited to their own business practices but must filter through their vast supply chains.”
He added: “Supply chain operations are often hindered by a fragmented approach, which can make it difficult to share real-time data and collaborate effectively. It’s essential to adopt an integrated approach that fosters seamless cooperation and reliable data sharing throughout the supply chain.
“Big data and the solutions used to capture, communicate and consolidate will be critical to success. Without this, retailers will be forced to manually check and consolidate their data across their supply chain and own business.”
Download the guide here
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
