Complementing the range of animal welfare and environmental sustainability programmes, the traceability system for consumers is central to Furmark®.
Species-specific traceability systems are in place with fur auctions. Under Furmark®, a traceability system will be introduced across all major auctions ensuring compatibility with existing processes.
To guarantee the robustness and transparency of this process, Furmark® will incorporate a traceability system that links the various processes through each stage in the supply chain.
This traceability system is based on ChainPoint technology, a multilingual web-based platform that allows multiple supply chain stakeholders to be registered so that they can collaborate across their chains.
Furmark®-certified products can be traced back through the supply chain. This follows pilot traceability schemes which were put in place (testing the robustness of the process as fur moves through the supply chain) with the main auction houses as well as targeted manufacturers and dressers and dyers. The traceability system has been designed and developed by a team of independent experts experienced in textile traceability.
The objective is to trace fur from its origin to its endpoint, ensuring the same level of confidence and assurances exist across every stage of the supply chain. The Furmark® traceability platform is – rightly – designed to work in harmony with existing systems.
The ChainPoint system will be fully integrated with a labelling solution to ensure that garments carry the relevant information and provide a level of security and transparency that meets customer needs. Although many commercial brands will go with a standard solution, IFF recognises that some high-end brands will wish to tailor their Furmark® communications. The approach to labelling and other forms of on-garment communication reflect this perspective.