As regulatory requirements and consumer expectations for transparency continue to reshape the apparel and textile industry, ITL Group has developed a comprehensive approach to supply chain transparency. The company’s Xplore – Trace, Track & Authenticate solution has been recognized with an Innovation Award for Supply Chain Transparency, in the 2025 Just Style Excellence Awards, reflecting ITL’s technology-driven response to the sector’s evolving needs for traceability, compliance, and consumer engagement throughout the garment lifecycle.
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ITL’s solution stood out for its ability to integrate advanced technology with durable labelling, enabling brands to achieve greater traceability, compliance, and consumer engagement throughout the garment lifecycle.
End-to-end traceability: Integrating upstream and downstream supply chain data
A distinguishing feature of ITL’s Xplore solution is its integration of upstream and downstream supply chain data, providing brands with a single, unified view of their entire value chain. By partnering with technology partners in upstream traceability and downstream consumer engagement, ITL’s Xplore solution enables brands and retailers to trace products from the procurement of raw materials at Tier 4 through to the final garment manufacturer at Tier 1. This level of traceability is particularly significant in an industry where supply chains are often fragmented and opaque, making it challenging to verify the origin and journey of materials.
The use of blockchain technology within Xplore ensures that every transaction and movement within the supply chain is securely recorded and cannot be altered, creating an immutable chain of custody. For example, geolocation data is captured at each tier, allowing brands to verify the physical journey of their products and ensure compliance with sourcing requirements. This is especially relevant for brands seeking to meet the requirements of regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) or to provide evidence of sustainable sourcing for certifications like the Higg Index.
Xplore’s data management capabilities further enhance transparency by aggregating social and environmental certifications, transactional data, and compliance reports into a single dashboard. Brands can track certifications such as Global Recycled Standard or OEXO-TEX, monitor carbon footprint data, and generate reports for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Scope 3 emissions. This holistic approach not only supports regulatory compliance but also enables brands to proactively identify and address risks, make informed procurement decisions, and communicate their ESG performance to stakeholders.
“Innovation is at the heart of how we tackle sustainability at ITL. With Xplore, we’re transforming supply chain transparency from a regulatory obligation into a powerful tool for traceability, compliance, and consumer engagement. It’s about reimagining what’s possible when technology, durability, and purpose come together.“
– Jimmy Christopher, SVP Group Sustainability & Innovation at ITL
Durable smart labelling for circularity and consumer engagement
A core innovation within ITL’s Xplore solution is its focus on the physical durability and functionality of smart labels. Recognizing that digital product passports and traceability solutions are only as effective as the data carriers that connect them to the physical product, ITL has engineered heat transfer and care labels that can withstand up to 100 domestic washes. This ensures that the digital identity of a garment remains accessible throughout its entire lifecycle, from first purchase to resale and eventual recycling.
ITL’s integrated data system enables brands to implement QR codes at the level that suits their current needs and future plans. Brands can begin by assigning QR codes at the SKU level (L-GTIN) for immediate compliance benefits, then seamlessly upgrade to unique identities for each individual garment (S-GTIN) as their DPP strategy evolves. Both approaches integrate effortlessly with GS1-Digital Link standards through ITL’s platform.
Beyond Compliance: Unlocking Digital Product Passports
Each label embedded with a dynamic QR code creates a unique digital identity for every garment, opening up engaging downstream applications. When consumers scan the label, they access the garment’s digital twin through a digital product passport, which may feature information on its materials, manufacturing journey, certifications and care instructions. This transparency will help to transform the entire garment lifecycle, with consumers being able to verify authenticity when purchasing second-hand items, while recyclers could gain instant access to the material information needed to ensure proper sorting and processing.
The durability of these labels addresses a common limitation in the industry, where information is often lost after a few washes, undermining efforts to support circularity and transparency. By ensuring that the label outlasts the garment’s primary use phase, ITL extends the opportunity for brands to engage with consumers beyond the point of sale. Brands can use the digital passport platform to share the garment’s story, highlight the communities involved in its production, and even facilitate ownership transfer in the second-hand market. This not only supports circular business models but also builds consumer trust and loyalty by providing ongoing access to verified product information.
“Leading our brand and marketing efforts, I have seen firsthand the power of solutions rooted in genuine purpose. This award illustrates that our mission of creating innovative, intelligent, and sustainable ways to connect brands to consumers is not just aspirational—it is achievable and delivers actionable results.”
– Hayley Solomon, Group Brand & Marketing Director, ITL
A holistic, ethical, and sustainable approach to supply chain management
ITL’s approach to supply chain transparency is underpinned by over three decades of experience in the apparel sector and a global operational footprint spanning 21 locations. This extensive industry knowledge enables ITL to address both the digital and physical challenges of traceability, from accurate data capture and label production to the integration of supply chain data across multiple tiers.
Unlike many technology providers that focus solely on software, ITL’s solution is informed by a deep understanding of the practical realities of apparel manufacturing and labelling. For instance, ITL’s ability to print, weave, or transfer unique QR codes onto a variety of label types—including care labels, woven labels, and heat transfers—ensures that data accuracy is maintained from the point of manufacture to the end consumer. In addition to supporting brands and retailers to start their traceability journey, the company’s global infrastructure allows for seamless onboarding of Tier 1 manufacturers and integration with existing ERP systems, facilitating rapid deployment and scalability.
ITL’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices is demonstrated through its alignment with international standards and initiatives, such as the United Nations Global Compact, Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certifications, and the Higg Index suite of tools. The company actively maps its own supply chain, measures progress against defined environmental and social metrics, and maintains memberships in leading industry associations like Cascale, The Policy Hub, and the European Outdoor Group (EOG). This holistic approach not only supports brands in meeting compliance requirements, but also provides assurance to consumers and stakeholders that transparency and responsibility are embedded throughout the supply chain.
By connecting brands, suppliers, regulators, and consumers through a single, integrated platform, ITL’s Xplore solution enables secure data sharing, risk mitigation, and active consumer engagement. This positions brands to respond effectively to increasing demands for transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the global apparel market.
“Our Xplore solution brings together premium physical labels and cutting-edge digital technology to tackle industry challenges—like tracing product provenance, verifying origin, and reducing environmental impact. Today, apparel labels aren’t just identifiers; they’re essential guardians of product integrity and powerful, cost-effective tools for brands to engage meaningfully with their consumers.“
– Neil Henderson, CEO, ITL
Company Profile
ITL is a global leader in labeling and packaging solutions, operating across 21 locations worldwide. Working with leading brands and retailers, ITL delivers innovative apparel labelling solutions that enhance brand value and operational efficiency.
ITL’s multidisciplinary teams of creative, technical and sustainability specialists work seamlessly across our global infrastructure to deliver solutions that drive measurable value for the world’s most recognised brands. Our commitment to excellence has established us as a trusted partner in the retail technology sector while we continue to shape the future of retail through our products and solutions.
Discover how our comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions can elevate your brand and streamline operations at www.itl-group.com/
Contact Details
E-mail: hello@itl-group.com
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Website: https://www.itl-group.com
