DPP Research

This thesis research was written as the cumulation of my learning during my Bachelor of Science in International Fashion & Business Development at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in Amsterdam. This research took place from February 2024 to June 2024.

My interest in the exploration of communication between supplier tiers within the garment industry stems from my specialisation in International Production. Drawing insights from my company advice report on the manufacturer TMR, it became evident that centralising internal data is crucial for future advancements in the fashion industry. The report emphasised that, beyond direct technological investments, a fundamental shift in data handling, prioritisation, and storage is paramount for maximising the benefits of various technological solutions. Industry experts, including Dr. Kahn Pham (2023) and EU Commissioner Elisa Ferreira (2023), support the significance of data centralisation for the success of future technological advancements in AI, machine learning, and big data analytics. The company advice report concluded that further research should be conducted in streamlining communication. Investigating how the new communication channel, Brand Me, has improved communication between TMR and Clients should be explored to find potential further improvements in the value chain. Research into questions such as "How can technology be leveraged to streamline communication between brands and manufacturers in the garment industry?" could highlight and evaluate the success of the Brand Me project along with finding potential areas for implementation into TMR's normal workflow.

This thesis research began from this question from the lens of the wider industry, and directives from the European Union, specifically Eco-design for Sustainable Products (ESPR) - Digital Product Passports and evolved into "Exploring the Role of Digital Product Passports in Enhancing Transparency and Sustainability Across the Fashion and Textile Supply Chain". DPPs, as a part of ESPR, serve as a digital tool to enhance transparency and track the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. They foster a circular economy by enabling better product data management and facilitating systematic transparency in material tracking. DPPs are critical for ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing the sustainability of products (Piétron et al., 2023).