THE PROBLEM: traceability standards throwing shoes in with apparel

• Shoes have 10x more materials than clothes/'textiles'.
• Shoes have 30+ materials not seen in 'textiles' including steel and foams.
• Shoe supply chains are unique and vast, in part due to the variety of materials that must be used to produce a product that must perform on feet every step.
• Yet, the push for erroneous one-sized fits all "fashion/textile" standards continues from retailers to organizations to governments.
• Wrong assumptions that standards made for clothing can just apply to shoes must end—they cannot succeed.
• Consider this: airplanes and trains are both in the transportation industry—should their standards be the same?

WHAT WORKS: individual right-sized standards for each "fashion" product – hence this tool for footwear specifically.

• There are clear and vital differences between shoes and shirt materials and supply chains.
• Once this is realized, the only way forward is right-sized traceability standards, policy, and programs by each product type.
• One for clothing. One for shoes. One for Handbags. One for accessories.
• Some targets may be shared, but differences must be accounted for and unique scopes must be made.
• Real success requires multiple policy tracks and standards that fit each individual "fashion" product, like shoes. AND different timelines for implementations - recognising that it may take a year or more longer than apperal for footwear traceability compliance.