Supply chain transparency, which has long been a part of the supermarket giant Tesco’s approach to sustainability, has made its way into its F&F fashion aisles with the launch of a new digital product passport trial.
In adopting the technology, Tesco becomes the largest UK retailer to offer customers a new level of transparency on where products within the F&F fashion range have been sourced, as well as additional information about each garment’s supply chain, including touch points such as water usage, materials used, and the distance each item has travelled along the production process.
The technology belongs to Products of Change member Fabacus, which first introduced its Digital Product Passport capabilities in 2023 via a collection of clothing produced by its sister company, the ethical fashion label Nobody’s Child.
Both Fabacus and Nobody’s Child presented last year at the Products of Change Conference (then known as SiLC) where members from across the global brand, licensing, consumer products, and retail space were introduced to not only the technology and its capabilities itself, but the incoming legislation that will eventually make digital product passports a requirement for all products placed on the market.
Led by new European regulations relating to product sustainability – including Extended Producer Responsibility and the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – the Digital Product Passport will be formalised in 2026. A ‘crackdown on traceability and transparency’, the digital product passport will require retailers and brands provide customers with in-depth product data and details pertaining to its sustainability.
By 2030, all apparel sold in Europe will require a Digital Product Passport.
Tesco’s partnership with Fabacus lands ahead of the full implementation of the digital product passport and follows a string of high-value partnership roll outs for the pilot technology including those in the licensing space with Cinti & Parker, Nobody’s Child and Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place fashion collection, and Pure Table Top.
Talking to the Telegraph last week, Joe Little, head of technical at Tesco, said: “At Tesco, we’re committed to sustainability and strive to make a positive impact on our planet. Digital Product Passports represent an important step forward, encouraging and promoting sustainable and circular practices and we’re pleased to be leading the way with this pilot, collaborating with Fabacus on our F&F clothing range.”
Product data is stored on a scannable QR code through which customers are offered an in-depth level of transparency across around 100 data points from the creation to consumption of each garment.
Through its pilot technology, Fabacus has made a commitment to “redefine the future of fashion and retail”, using its technology to “craft new, engaging, and innovative channels for consumer interaction.”
Andrew Xeni, founder and ceo of Fabacus, said: “Through this execution, we are keen to demonstrate the ways in which consumer products companies can share information with the consumer in a way they want to see. By harnessing the power of this deep product data, we hope to foster more transparent, responsible, and connected experiences for brands and consumers alike, while bringing visibility to stakeholders.”
