TrusTrace partnered with Cascale, Fair Wear, ABOUT YOU, ASOS, Boozt, Ellos Group, New Look, The Very Group, and Zalando to launch the Retailer Brand Due Diligence Questionnaire and One Retail Hub. Together, these solutions provide a unified methodology and a free digital infrastructure to streamline compliance on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) for the apparel and footwear sector.
“One Retail Hub demonstrates what's possible when industry leaders invest in shared infrastructure rather than proprietary solutions,” says Shameek Ghosh, co-founder and CEO of TrusTrace. “By building a unified platform for HREDD data exchange, we're eliminating the duplicative reporting burden that has strained suppliers and brands alike – especially SMEs. This is how industries accelerate progress: collaborative systems that transform compliance complexity into strategic clarity. TrusTrace is proud to provide the technology enabling this sector-wide shift toward unified, actionable supply chain intelligence.”
“This initiative falls under Cascale’s mission to drive convergence, minimize duplication, and improve efficiency across the industry’s sustainability efforts. We were pleased to provide subject matter expertise and see this as an exciting opportunity for further collaboration,” says Jeremy Lardeau, SVP, Higg Index at Cascale
“Fair Wear is proud to bring our deep expertise in worker-centerd due diligence to the development of the SAQ. Working with Cascale in The Industry We Want and the Retailer Round Table, we’ve created a shared, credible starting point for brands and retailers that promotes efficiency and reduces duplication across the sector. The SAQ lays the groundwork for clearer expectations, emphasizing the role retailers play in encouraging brands to move toward impactful due diligence and real improvements for workers. Moreover, our organizations have the tools and guidance readily available to help brands advance in their HREDD journey,” adds Annabel Meurs, executive director at Fair Wear.
Key takeaways:
· The Retailer Brand Due Diligence Questionnaire is a simplified HREDD self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) co-developed through a collaborative effort. By consolidating requirements from multiple business partners into a single streamlined questionnaire, it eliminates fragmented reporting and ensures brand partners are measured against fair, universally recognized criteria.
· Informed by OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the garment and footwear sector and further sector-specific standards, this questionnaire establishes a consistent, industry-wide baseline for ethical sourcing. This allows companies to navigate a complex reporting landscape, ensuring resources are directed where they are most needed to foster a more resilient and responsible supply chain.
· One Retail Hub is a free digital tool to facilitate seamless data exchange. This platform allows brands to engage with the HREDD questionnaire continuously rather than reacting to ad-hoc requests, introducing predictability into the reporting cycle.
