Glossary

Our glossary is to help you understand the terms and jargon that you may encounter. On this page, you will find a comprehensive list of definitions and explanations of the key terms and concepts used within our platform and industry. Our goal is to provide clarity and ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the language and concepts that surround our platform. We hope this glossary will be a useful resource for you!

Transparency:

Transparency in the fashion industry refers to the disclosure of information about the production processes, social and environmental impact, and overall business practices of fashion companies. It involves providing consumers and other stakeholders with information about the supply chain, including where materials are sourced, how garments are made, who is involved in the production process, and the working conditions of factory workers. Transparency is important in the fashion industry because it enables consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and hold companies accountable for their actions. It also allows for greater visibility into the social and environmental impact of the fashion industry and helps to identify areas where improvements can be made.

Levels of transparency:
At tex.tracer, we work with three levels of transparency.
​The 1st level of transparency is achieved when the value chain of a product/orderline has been created and the concerned supplier chain partners have been added (T1-4).

​The 2nd level of transparency is reached when the invited supply chain partners 1) create their account, 2) upload company pictures and 3) upload social and sustainable certificates. By creating an account they accept the terms and conditions of tex.tracer sharing their company information and location.

​The 3rd level of transparency is achieved when the supply chain partners share orderline data by 1) uploading a picture of a packing list/delivery note and 2) accepting or rejecting the uploaded data of the previous step. This digital handshake verifies the steps in the supply chain.

Supply chain partner account: A supplier account is for all suppliers. The use of tex.tracer is free for supply chain partners.

Company registration number: In tex.tracer, we use the company registration number of a company as the key identifier. We need the company registration number to create an account in tex.tracer. In each country, the company registration number may be different. We have listed the most common countries and their company registration numbers. You can download the list at the bottom of this article.

User role: In tex.tracer, we have three types of user roles: 1) Admin, 2) Editor and 3) Reader. The first user of the account is automatically the admin. The admin can invite, edit and block extra users, add brands, and make changes to the company information. Both the admin and editor can upload orderlines, invite supply chain partners, send compliance documents and perform other actions. Readers can only read the information on tex.tracer, they cannot perform any actions.

Category: These are the product categories your company produces. The categories available in tex.tracer are: Men, Women, Kids, Trims and/or accessories, Workwear, Upholstery/furniture, Yarn and/or Fabric, Raw material, and Other.

Product group: In tex.tracer, we create templates of supply chains based on Product groups. This makes it easier for you to create supply chains. The product groups in tex.tracer are: Flat knit, Circle knit, Woven, Denim, Outerwear, Lingerie, Bags, Shoes, Socks, Accessories, Leather, Swimwear, Upholstery and Trims.

Yearly turnover: The yearly turnover refers to the total income made by a business over a year (gross revenue or total sales).

Office address/Factory address: Office/factory name: you can give your office or factory a name. It can also be the company name.

Address line 1/2: Here you need to fill in the address information (street and number).

Postal code: The set of numbers and sometimes letters, that help postal services deliver mail. Also known as a Zip Code.

Country, State and City: The location of your company.

Admin settings: An extra tab for admins, where the admin can invite new users, edit the existing users or block users that are no longer needed.

Status of a user: There are three statuses a user can have, 1) Inactive, 2) Active and 3) Blocked. After a user is invited, the status is Inactive. When the user has activated their account, the status changes to Active. When the user no longer has access to its account, the status of the user is Blocked.

Languages: You can set your tex.tracer account in one of our 5 languages: English, German, Spanish, Turkish and Mandarin (Chinese). To do this, click on the profile icon on the top right of your screen, and click on Languages. You can also let your browser translate the platform automatically, but this can sometimes lead to incorrect translations.

​Total styles in platform: the total number of orderlines you have received on your tex.tracer account.

​Expiring certificates: the total number of certificates expiring within 30 days.

Actions for today:
​Upload order evidence: via your mobile phone, you can upload your delivery note/packing list to confirm you have worked on the orders that have been sent to you in tex.tracer.

Complete profile: upload company pictures via your mobile phone. These pictures will be visible to the consumer.

Compliance: upload your company's sustainable certificates and social audit reports.

​Pending orderlines: ​For the orderlines you receive from your clients, you will need to create the supply chains. Click on Create to create the supply chains.

Orderline: An orderline is a unique combination of an order number and style number. Orderlines are uploaded to tex.tracer by the Brand, and for each orderline, the supply chain is made transparent. The orderline has order-specific information including product details, quantities, delivery dates, and associated partners.

Pending orderlines: For the orderlines you receive from your clients, you will need to create the supply chains. Click on Create to create the supply chains.

Verification in progress: you can track the progress of the orderlines for which the supply chains are already created.

Evidence step: this shows which supply chain partner has uploaded order evidence and it is confirmed by the next supply chain partner.

Completed: All orderlines that are published by the client (brand) are listed here.

Filters on the Orderlines page:
​ETD from and ETD to: the estimated time of departure/shipping date when the products leave the country of origin. You can filter orderlines on the shipping date.

All brands: This filter allows you to filter the orderlines on the brand name.

All product groups: this filter allows you to filter the orderlines on the product group.

Certificate: An official document stating you fulfil the requirements of a certain certification.

In tex.tracer, we have divided the certifications into sustainable and social certificates. As well as audits and memberships. You can upload any type of certification. Your certifications will be visible immediately to your client(s) in tex.tracer.

Sustainable certificate: An official document issued by a recognised third-party organisation that verifies a product, material, or process meets specific environmental standards. It serves as proof that a company or product aligns with sustainability goals, such as reducing resource consumption, minimising waste, and promoting ecological balance.

Social certificate: An official document issued by a recognized third-party organisation that verifies that company adheres to specific social and ethical standards. This typically involves verifying fair labor practices, workers' rights, safe working conditions, and respect for community welfare.

Audit: A systematic review to ensure a company’s practices comply with environmental, social, and ethical standards, often identifying areas for improvement.

Membership: An affiliation with a recognised group or network that promotes sustainable and ethical practices, reflecting a commitment to these values.

Documents received: your client(s) are able to send you any compliance document (Code of Conduct, delivery manual, etc) to read and/or digitally sign. The documents you have received will be listed here, and you can easily read and/or sign them.

Documents archived: your client(s) can archive a document when it is no longer valid or necessary. For example, when the Code of Conduct is updated, the client can archive the old version, and send you the newest version.

Certification body: The organization responsible for issuing certificates, audit results, and other official documentation related to compliance with various standards and practices.

Scope certificate number: The registered number of a company issuing the certificate.

License ID: A unique identification number assigned to a certified entity, such as a manufacturer, supplier, or brand, by the certifying body. This ID is used to verify the authenticity and validity of the GOTS certification.

Audit Result: The outcome of a formal examination or evaluation that assesses an organization's compliance with specific standards and codes of conduct, providing insights into ethical and sustainable practices.

RSP Holder (Responsibility Holder): An entity or organization that holds certification for adhering to responsible supply chain practices, emphasising ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible conduct.

Code of Conduct: A set of ethical guidelines and standards that outline expected behaviours and practices in the workplace and supply chain, focusing on responsible and sustainable business conduct.

RSL (Restricted Substances List): A catalogue of chemicals and substances that are restricted or prohibited in textile and garment production, ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

Bluesign: Certifies that a product is made with safe chemicals, efficient use of resources, and responsible manufacturing processes, which are crucial for reducing environmental impact.

Content Claim Standard (CCS): Tracks and verifies the presence and amount of a specific material in a final product, ensuring transparency and trust in material claims.

Eco Dye Standard: Ensures that dyes used in textiles are environmentally friendly and free from harmful chemicals, which is important for reducing pollution.

EU Ecolabel: A certification that indicates a product meets high environmental standards throughout its lifecycle, promoting sustainable consumer choices.

Fairtrade: Certifies that products are made with fair labor practices, ensuring ethical treatment of workers and fair wages, essential for social sustainability.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Ensures that wood and paper products come from responsibly managed forests, which is important for sustainable sourcing of materials.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Certifies organic textiles from field to finished product, ensuring ecological and social responsibility in organic production.

Global Recycled Standard (GRS): Verifies recycled content in products and ensures responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices in production, promoting circularity in textiles.

ISO 14001: An international standard for environmental management systems, helping organizations minimise their environmental impact, is crucial for sustainable operations.

ISO 50001: An international standard for energy management systems, promoting energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint in textile manufacturing.

IVN-BEST: The highest standard for organic textiles, covering environmental and social criteria, ensuring top-tier sustainability in textile production.

OE 100 Standard: Certifies that a product contains 100% organic cotton, ensuring authenticity and traceability in organic cotton products.

OE Blended: Certifies that a product contains a blend of organic and non-organic cotton, providing transparency in material composition.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100: Certifies that textiles are free from harmful substances, ensuring consumer safety and promoting healthier production practices.

Oeko Class: a group of different articles categorised according to their intended utilisation (e.g, product class I, II, III, IV)

Organic Content Standard (OCS) 100: Verifies the presence of 100% organic material in a product, ensuring transparency and integrity in organic labeling.

Organic Content Standard (OCS) Blended: Certifies products containing a blend of organic and non-organic materials, ensuring accurate claims in mixed-material products.

Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) 100: Verifies that a product contains 100% recycled content, promoting sustainability through recycling in the textile industry.

Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) Blended: Certifies that a product contains a blend of recycled and non-recycled materials, ensuring accurate and transparent recycling claims.

Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC): A certification that combines organic farming with strong social and animal welfare criteria, aiming to improve soil health and carbon sequestration.

Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS): Ensures that alpaca wool is produced with high animal welfare standards, promoting ethical sourcing in the textile industry.

Responsible Down Standard (RDS): Certifies that down and feathers come from animals treated ethically, without live-plucking or force-feeding, ensuring humane treatment.

Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS): A certification for responsibly grown and processed hemp, ensuring sustainability and ethical practices in hemp textiles.

Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS): Ensures that mohair is sourced from farms with high animal welfare standards, promoting ethical treatment of goats in mohair production.

Responsible Plastic Management (RPM): Promotes responsible use and disposal of plastic materials, encouraging sustainable plastic management in the textile supply chain.

Responsible Wool Standard (RWS): Certifies that wool is sourced from farms with high animal welfare and land management practices, ensuring ethical and sustainable wool production.

SFA Cashmere Standard: A certification that ensures cashmere is produced sustainably with a focus on animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

Sustainable Fiber Program (SFP): Promotes the use of sustainable fibers in textiles, supporting eco-friendly and socially responsible fiber sourcing.

Sustainable Regenerated Cellulosic Content Standard (SRCCS): Ensures that regenerated cellulosic fibers, like viscose, are produced sustainably, promoting responsible fiber innovation.

SA8000: A social accountability standard that ensures fair treatment of workers, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices, promoting social responsibility in the textile industry.

ISO9001: A global standard for quality management systems, focusing on consistent quality and continuous improvement, is essential for maintaining high standards in textile production.

ISO45001: An international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, ensuring safe and healthy workplaces, is crucial for worker protection in the textile industry.

Amfori BSCI: A social compliance system that helps companies improve working conditions in their global supply chains, ensuring ethical and fair labor practices in textile production.

Facility Environmental Module (FEM): Part of the Higg Index assessing a facility's environmental performance, guiding textile manufacturers toward sustainable and eco-friendly operations.

Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM): Also part of the Higg Index, evaluating social and labor conditions within facilities to promote safe and fair working environments in the textile sector.

International Labor Standards (ILS): Guidelines set by the ILO to ensure fundamental worker rights and decent working conditions, crucial for upholding ethical labor practices in textiles worldwide.

SEDEX (SMETA): An online platform that enables sharing and monitoring of responsible sourcing data, facilitating ethical and responsible supply chain management.

SMETA: An audit procedure by SEDEX evaluating a facility's adherence to ethical standards in labor, health and safety, environment, and business ethics, ensuring responsible textile production.

WRAP: A globally recognized certification ensuring that textile and apparel products are manufactured in safe, lawful, humane, and ethical conditions, enhancing trust and accountability in the industry.

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI): A global initiative promoting better standards in cotton farming, ensuring sustainability and improved livelihoods for farmers, is crucial for eco-friendly and ethical cotton production.

Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI): A membership organization that promotes workers' rights and ethical supply chains, helping textile companies ensure fair labor practices and social responsibility.

Fair Labor Association (FLA): An organization that promotes fair labour practices globally through rigorous standards and monitoring, essential for ensuring the ethical treatment of workers in the textile industry.

Fair Wear Foundation (FWF): An independent organization focused on improving labor conditions in the garment industry, providing tools and support for brands to ensure fair and safe working environments.

FAMA Application: Refers to the Factory Audit and Manufacturing Authorization application, a certification process often required for exporting textiles to certain markets, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

Transaction Certificates: A transaction certificate (TC) is a document issued by the certification body that verifies the goods being shipped (or delivered) from one organisation to the next conform to a given standard. Obtaining a TC for all the Textile Exchange standards and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for the input materials to be used in the output products with the claim of the respective standard(s).

Footprint: product’s production emissions and resource consumption together with waste generation, packaging, and transporting to the warehouse.

Provide data: Fill in required data for the supply chain step(s) you are responsible for.

Data completed: view data filled in for the product’s footprint.

Yarn: a strand of natural or synthetic fibers and filaments created by spinning and used for fabric production.

Yarn count: the thickness of a yarn determined by its mass per unit length.

Fiber: a natural or synthetic filament used for spinning into a yarn.

Fabric: a cloth that has been woven, knitted, or non-woven from yarns or fibers and is used for garment production.

Wet process: a process in textile production that involves treatments or processes where water is a primary component or medium, such as dyeing, printing, washing, or finishing fabrics or garments.

Yarn treatment: a process applied to yarn before or after spinning to modify its properties, enhance its performance, or achieve specific characteristics desired for the intended use, such as dyeing, coating, twisting, or sizing.

Fabric treatment: a process applied to fabric to modify its properties, enhance its performance, or achieve specific characteristics desired for the intended use, such as dyeing, pre-treatment, printing, coating/finishing.

Dyeing treatment: a process in which colorants are added to fiber, yarns, or fabric to achieve desired colour.

Pre-treatment: preparatory processes applied to textiles, fabrics, or yarns before subsequent treatments or finishing, such as desizing, scouring, bleaching, drying, or mercerising to remove impurities, enhance dye absorption, or improve the material's receptiveness to subsequent treatments.

Coating/finishing: a process of applying a layer for specific purposes to alter appearance or functionality of the fabric. For example, waterproofing.

Product: a final product manufactured ready for sale.

Cutting waste: the leftovers or unused textile generated during the process of manufacturing of the product.

Packaging: materials used to protect, ship, and storage the products.

Accessories: additional components including buttons, zippers, trims, labels.

Reference: additional information or identifier referring to the process, helping supply chain partners understand the specific order or product associated with that step.

Energy use: the amount of energy used for the specific step processing in the supply chain.

Footprint data: information about the environmental impact of a process or product, including carbon emissions, water usage, and energy consumption.

Transport data: the data of the type of transport use and transporting distance.

Mode of transport: the type of transport used for transporting.

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