The Chain of Custody for a Cotton T-Shirt

21 Jul 2025

The journey of a cotton T-shirt reveals the challenges of achieving transparency across multiple tiers and countries, highlighting the need for robust traceability systems and how can brands solve this

Unveiling the path of supply chain transparency.

In today’s global marketplace, consumers are demanding more transparency in supply chains. They want to know where their products come from and how they’re made. Yet achieving full visibility remains one of the biggest hurdles for businesses, especially when supply chains span multiple countries.

For instance, a cotton T-shirt may be sourced from a factory in China, but the cotton itself could come from India. As supply chains stretch across borders, tracing every step of the journey becomes complex, especially when suppliers are reluctant to share detailed information due to financial and competitive concerns.

Why Is Transparency So Hard?

Supply chains often lack the necessary traceability systems, and suppliers may provide inconsistent data that’s hard to make sense of. Additionally, suppliers themselves often do not have full visibility into where the raw materials come from, as by the time materials reach them, they have passed through multiple tiers of suppliers. They also may not know what chemicals have been added to the materials along the way. As a result, even suppliers struggle with transparency. On top of this, they are often hesitant to share sourcing details, fearing it will affect pricing negotiations with brands.

The challenge lies not just in gathering information, but in building trust and open communication. Brands must work closely with vendors to promote transparency, ensuring that everyone benefits from clear sourcing practices. Without a proper system in place, achieving total transparency and traceability is practically impossible.

The ever-evolving legal and regulatory landscape also plays a significant role. With increasingly implementing stricter regulations around ethical sourcing, environmental impact, and labor practices. Brands that lack transparency risk non-compliance, hefty fines, and significant reputational damage. Staying ahead of these regulations requires robust supply chain visibility.

Building Trust and Improving Communication

To improve transparency, companies must establish trust with their suppliers through clear, ethical communication. It’s important to show that transparency benefits everyone, not just through cost negotiations, but also by improving product quality and gaining consumer trust.

The Role of Traceability Systems

Investing in robust traceability systems allows companies to track materials at every step of the supply chain. The more mature the traceability system, the easier it is to verify the origin and path of products, ensuring accurate and reliable documentation.

Moving Forward: Collaboration Is Key

Improving supply chain transparency is a continuous journey. By partnering with suppliers, fostering trust, and enhancing traceability systems, companies can meet consumer expectations for sustainability and build stronger, more reliable partnerships.

The rewards for transparency are clear: better compliance, improved product quality, and a stronger reputation with consumers.

Ultimately, supply chain transparency is not just about logistics; it's a cornerstone of responsible business. It empowers consumers to make informed choices, holds companies accountable for their environmental and social impact, and fosters a more sustainable and ethical global economy.