Why supply chain language matters
Textile sourcing often involves the same product being described in several ways. A mill, a dyehouse, a cut-and-sew factory, a brand and a logistics partner may each use different names for the same stage. That makes it harder to compare suppliers, assign responsibilities and collect reliable sustainability data.
In July 2026, Textile Exchange and the apparel alliance launched Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy for the textile, apparel, fashion, leather and footwear sectors. The framework defines and scopes supply chain tiers from raw material production through finished goods and distribution. It is designed to create a consistent reference point so companies can communicate more clearly across the value chain.
The taxonomy is not a certification and it does not replace a supplier audit. Its value is practical: teams can use the same tier language when building a sourcing brief, requesting documentation or comparing the risks and capabilities of two factories.
What Version 2 changes for buyers
Version 2 is a harmonized update created with the Apparel Alliance, which includes Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange and ZDHC. The shared framework helps companies describe products and processes consistently, which can support more aligned reporting and collaboration.
For a buyer, this means a sourcing conversation can start with the right question: which tier performs this activity, and what evidence should be attached to it? Instead of asking for a broad claim about a finished product, you can map the material, processing and assembly steps that created it.
A buyer’s tier-by-tier checklist
Raw materials and fiber inputs
Start by recording the fiber or raw material category, the producing region and the responsible supplier. Ask whether the input is virgin, recycled, regenerated, organic or otherwise preferred, and keep the supporting document with the product record. Do not treat a marketing label as proof of a preferred input.
Yarn, spinning and intermediate preparation
Confirm where fiber becomes yarn or another intermediate form. Capture the mill name, process description and any relevant test or chain-of-custody paperwork. This is especially useful when a fabric is blended or when one order combines several bases.
Fabric formation, dyeing and finishing
Record the facility that knits, weaves, dyes, prints or finishes the material. For custom projects, keep the base fabric, artwork file, repeat size and finishing instructions together. Our print-your-own-fabric workflow helps define those inputs before production.
Cut-and-sew and product assembly
Separate fabric production from garment or soft-goods assembly. Ask who cuts, sews, packs and inspects the product, and note which activities are performed in-house or by a partner. This makes capacity and quality conversations more specific.
Distribution and aftercare
Keep delivery, packaging, repair, return and end-of-life information visible. A supply chain map should continue beyond the factory gate because customers and regulators increasingly ask what happens after a product is sold.
Turn the taxonomy into a better sourcing brief
Use the taxonomy as a short template for every new supplier. List the product, the expected tiers, the documents required at each tier, the owner for each data field and the date of the last review. Ask suppliers to flag any outsourced process instead of leaving a blank field.
For a fabric buyer, a useful brief can include composition, width, weight, stretch, finish, care, origin, test files, minimum order quantity and a clear product image. The DEC Fabrics guide can help teams compare fibre, stretch, weight and end use before ordering.
Questions to ask before approving a supplier
- Which tier performs each process, and is any step outsourced?
- Which product and process documents can be shared, and how often are they updated?
- Can the supplier identify the correct facility for each lot or production run?
- Which claims are verified by a recognized standard, test or chain-of-custody record?
- How are defects, returns, repair and end-of-life requests handled?
These questions turn a framework into an operating habit. They also help a small brand avoid overpromising. If a detail is unknown, mark it as unknown and assign a follow-up instead of filling the gap with an assumption.
FAQs
Is the Supply Chain Taxonomy a certification?
No. It is a shared classification framework for describing tiers, products and processes. Buyers still need appropriate audits, tests and certifications for the claims they make.
Can small brands use it without complex software?
Yes. A spreadsheet or product record with consistent tier fields is enough to start. The main benefit comes from using the same definitions across suppliers and keeping evidence attached to each record.
Does the taxonomy replace a digital product passport?
No. A taxonomy helps organize supply chain language. A Digital Product Passport is a product information system with its own regulatory and technical requirements. The two can work together.
Build a clearer material plan
Ready to compare fabric bases or prepare a custom collection? Explore the solid fabrics collection, request samples and keep the chosen specification with your order. For production planning, contact DEC Fabrics for material advice and an international delivery quote.
Source: Textile Exchange: Supply Chain Taxonomy for the Textile, Apparel, and Fashion Industry.