A new global standard for verifying unused “deadstock” textiles is now available. Dubbed FoundStock, the standard provides a clear and auditable system for tracing materials that were produced but never used.
The FoundStock standard aims to provide full provenance throughout the supply chain of excess materials. The standard is based on five pillars with the acronym T.R.A.C.E.: transparent supply chain, responsible operations, approved origins, careful handling and externally audited.
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Each year across industries, more than $1.77 trillion in value is lost due to the waste of excess materials, according to the United Nations Environment Program. And 92 million metric tons of textiles—which can range from leftover scraps and cuttings to entire runs of fabric—can end up in warehouses, or worse, landfills or incinerators. Less than 12 percent of textiles are recycled into new textiles.
According to a 2023 study published in the journal Heliyon, the fashion and textile sector produces roughly 10 percent of global CO2 emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined. And the textile industry is responsible for more than 20 percent of global wastewater, largely from dyeing and finishing processes, according to the European Parliament.
FoundStock works to alleviate some of that environmental impact by giving leftover and waste textile material new life. Deadstock that goes through the FoundStock process is independently audited for origin, condition and compliance with certification criteria. Once certified, those materials are made available for purchase and made into new products. Products made with FoundStock-certified materials will have a digital record available via a QR code that customers can scan to see the product’s full journey.
FoundStock offers three levels of certification—silver, gold and platinum—reflecting the depth of traceability and documentation provided by the certified organization. All levels meet FoundStock’s core requirements, but higher levels provide more detailed information, such as environmental or quality data. Certification is valid for 24 months, as long as the certified organization maintains compliance.
The FoundStock standard was co-developed by global testing and certification organizations Control Union and Peterson, and is currently in pilot with several as-yet-to-be-named global fashion and textile brands. Control Union also manages the Regenagri certification, an international agriculture initiative that helps organizations improve sustainability by certifying greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration claims, data analytics, benchmarking and advisory services.
FoundStock is currently limited to textiles, but Control Union said it possibly could grow to other material categories. As it expands, FoundStock will enter other sectors, such as automotive, interiors and manufacturing, and the organization is currently soliciting new brands for assessment.
