Strategic roadmap launched to promote sustainable supply chains for the fashion industry in Singapore

3 December 2021 Forests for Fashion

A three-year strategic roadmap to promote fashion supply chain sustainability and responsible procurement was launched in Singapore on 30 November between the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF) and PEFC International.

This partnership will drive greater awareness among TaFF members, partners, and stakeholders of the importance of legal and sustainable sourcing of materials, like fibre from the forests but also its packaging and natural rubber used in the sector.

Fashion supply chain sustainability and responsible procurement are critical to make sure that we all benefit from the many products that forests provide now while ensuring these forests will be around for generations to come.

It is now widely recognised by the business community that consumers expect brands to be environmentally friendly. Across the world, the fashion industry is responding.

This is also in line with the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Action, committing the industry to cut greenhouse gas emissions through global supply chains by 30% by 2030.

PEFC has been working with designers and the fashion industry for some years to show how fibre from sustainably managed forests can be turned into fashionable garments, demonstrating sustainability every step of the way.

In 2016, for example, PEFC Italy explored the potential of forests in fashion in a pioneering project sponsored by the PEFC Collaboration Fund, where fashion students for the Italian Institute of Design in Perugia focused on bringing the sustainable ethos of PEFC into the fashion world.

Together with their teachers, the students created a collection of clothing and accessories made entirely from wood and wood-based products from PEFC-certified forests.

The culmination of this work went on display at the first ‘3F Fashion for Forest’ fashion show in the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia. 

From clothing made from beech, eucalyptus and cork oak, to the wooden accessories, all the raw materials were PEFC certified. This ensures that they came from sustainably managed forests that will be around for generations to come.

A strategic partnership

The strategic partnership with TaFF in Singapore makes perfect sense, as it draws on PEFC’s experience in managing a global campaign Fashions Change, Forests Stay, which recognises that forest fibre from responsible sources are already starting to be used in fashion design, in Europe and Asia.  

"It is important that fashion brands and retailers have the assurance that the wood-based fibres that they are using are indeed sourced sustainability. A discerning brand/retailer and consumer will look for international certifications. And such assurance can help consumers narrow the gap between the price premium for sustainable clothes and their willingness to pay,” highlighted Carolyn Poon, Director, Sustainability, Textile and Fashion Federation (Singapore).

In the second phase of the TaFF/PEFC collaboration roadmap, commencing in December 2022, both parties will focus on: 

• Promoting a responsible sourcing policy
• Introducing sustainability matters in the forest supply chain, important to the fashion and lifestyle industry, e.g., natural rubber, paper & packaging, along with timber
• Exploring collaborations with PEFC members

Another positive outcome of this partnership will be an expanded library of knowledge and best practices, as TaFF and PEFC members explore opportunities and strategies through engagement and collaboration, jointly and with other experts in the field.