Global supply chain compliance firm LRQA will launch a cotton traceability pilot program in Pakistan using isotopic testing through Applied DNA Sciences’ CertainT platform.
CertainT analyzes forensic, multiple-proof-point evidence through isotope testing, DNA tagging and genomic testing for source authenticity verification of materials and products at any point in the supply chain. LRQA will use the platform under its Elevate company umbrella as part of the Global Trace Protocol project, a U.S. Department of Labor-funded initiative implemented by LRQA in Pakistan. The project is fully financed with $4 million in U.S. federal funds.
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The project aims to address child and forced labor in global supply chains by improving traceability for textiles. Trace experts, global brands, Pakistan’s cotton sector and worker organizations will work together to design, implement and assess the pilot trace tool to improve its future application. The program also will develop publicly available commodity-agnostic trace resources for enhanced due diligence in supply chain traceability.
“New import regulations and legislation now require extra documentation to verify cotton origin and ensure that cotton does not come from high-risk sources,” said Jeff Wheeler, director of the Global Trace Protocol, LRQA. “The Global Trace Protocol project is developing traceability technology tools that provide greater transparency and integrity to textile value chains globally, including through our work with Applied DNA.”
Using isotopic analysis of raw materials and products at key points in the cotton textile supply chain, Applied DNA’s CertainT will establish a baseline as part of the Global Trace Protocol pilot for isotopic testing and analysis. Testing components include using isotope ratio mass spectometry on samples from farms, gins, yarn spinners and manufacturing mills.
“Our CertainT platform employs isotope testing as well as DNA tagging and genomic testing as forensic authentication technologies to establish traceability to prove origin,” said Meilin Wan, vice president of textiles, Applied DNA. “Our recent announcement with Indus Apparel of isotope testing with DNA tagging showcases the scalability and accessibility of cotton authentication technologies that will also help Pakistan’s cotton industry to enable compliance with U.S. import regulations and similar enforcement in other geographies.”
The use of DNA in textile traceability has grown significantly in recent years as more technology becomes available and the demand for transparency in supply chains increases. Just last month, regenerative agriculture program Regenagri announced its intention to work with Swiss traceability specialist Haelixa to apply DNA marking technology within its textile supply chain.
Applied DNA has brought its DNA traceability to a number of categories and brands, including leather and down/feathers. In July, the company inked a five-year licensing agreement with global textile producer Indus Group to use its CertainT platform to trace cotton.
