AAFA & TEXbase introduces new chemical management tool

27 Mar '14

2 min read

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) launched a new web-based collaboration solution designed to assist U.S. apparel and footwear industry companies better exchange important environmental and chemical management information through a Voluntary Product Environmental Profile (VPEP) with their partners along the supply chain.

The tool, was built in partnership with TEXbase, a product integrity management software solutions provider that revolutionizes quality data management, supplier collaboration and product compliance.

“As a global industry, the U.S. footwear and apparel industry has a global responsibility to ensure our products are produced in a sustainable and safe way,” said AAFA Executive Vice President Steve Lamar.

“AAFA offers our members valuable tools and resources to help them succeed in that important mission. The VPEP tool we released today will help brands and retailers better communicate with their suppliers about chemical management issues that arise along the supply chain to ensure our products remain safe for our customers.”

“TEXbase is honored to work with AAFA to develop VPEPxchange. This solution is natural extension to the materials, quality and compliance management capabilities provided by TEXbase,” said TEXbase founder and CTO Joe Walkuski. “With increasing transparency and traceability requirements, VPEP providers can now easily collaborate with manufacturers, brands and retailers, to securely share chemical and environmental information for product development, compliance and sustainability initiatives.”

The Voluntary Product Environmental Profile (VPEP) is a supplier disclosure process that allows brands, retailers, and suppliers to exchange vital information on the chemical makeup of products and the environmental impact of apparel and textile products and processes.

While a hardcopy version of the VPEP form was established several years ago, the launch of today’s VPEPxchange.com website streamlines the exchange of data and offers a more concise and efficient way to communicate an ever-more transparent supply chain.

Originally developed by a group comprising of dyestuff and chemical suppliers, apparel and textile manufacturers, and professional staff of academic institutions and trade associations representing the chemical, dyestuff, and apparel and textile industries, VPEP can be used by apparel and textile companies and chemical suppliers to facilitate the efficient exchange of information necessary to make decisions regarding the environmental impact of textile products and processes.

In the coming weeks, AAFA will host training for brands, retailers, and suppliers interested in utilizing the platform to better communicate along the supply chain.

TEXbase

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