New York-based software company Sourcemap recently launched the beta version of Open Apparel Registry (OAR), an open, crowd-sourced database of apparel facilities around the world, offering manufacturers and consumers access to the factories making their clothes. The free online tool creates a common and standardised resource of facility names and addresses.The easily-to-search tool aims at enabling transparency and accountability in the industry.
Records of most apparel factories are logged across multiple, inconsistent databases at present. The lack of oversight has led to the apparel industry’s failed attempts to rid supply chains of forced labour, child labour, poor working conditions and environmentally-harmful practices, according to a press release from the company.
New York-based software company Sourcemap recently launched the beta version of Open Apparel Registry (OAR), an open, crowd-sourced database of apparel facilities around the world, offering manufacturers and consumers access to the factories making their clothes. The free online tool creates a common and standardised resource of facility names and addresses.#
The company expects the capabilities of the OAR will one day create an industry where every article of clothing is traced to its source.
The OAR is funded by the C&A Foundation. It will be formally launched in the next few months. (DS)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India