TrusTrace, a leading global SaaS provider specializing in product traceability and supply chain compliance for the fashion and retail sectors, has unveiled its upgraded AI-powered Forced Labor Prevention (FLP) Solution. This advanced solution empowers global brands, including the renowned Vera Bradley, to proactively manage and meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals through the creation of a chain of custody, primary data collection, risk screening, and compliance. The result is increased accuracy and reduced time and cost for compliance.

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“Our comprehensive FLP solution is not just a tool, but a commitment to a world where transparency and ethical practices in supply chains are non-negotiable. Ensuring that forced labor has no place in our global economy is critical, and with our solution, brands can proactively and confidently lead the way in this imperative transformation, instead of merely ensuring they have a solution for the release of detained shipments,” said Shameek Ghosh, CEO of TrusTrace. “With a proactive approach to supply chain data brands can be in the drivers’ seat not only for tackling forced labor but for multiple supply chain challenges, as well as opportunities, something that leading brands are already doing today.”

The Forced Labor Prevention solution leverages AI to manage extensive data from complex supply chains while enabling the scalable collection of primary data per purchase order. This data is then screened and validated for risk, ensuring brands have robust evidence at the product and shipment levels. Unlike solutions relying on third-party data, which can introduce irrelevant information, TrusTrace’s solution gathers primary data directly from suppliers, providing detailed and reliable information about facilities, products, and materials.

TrusTrace has traced more than two million purchase orders and mapped over 55,000 suppliers and facilities globally, showcasing its capacity to automate primary data collection on a large scale. The solution proactively screens data for risk against the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entity list and can integrate with any relevant risk screening database.

The AI-powered chain of custody creation and document collection enhances speed, accuracy, and cost savings, making it easier for brands to achieve supply chain visibility and stay compliant with documentation requirements. The FLP solution can classify, extract, and translate large volumes of documents in over 100 languages, facilitating the creation of a digital chain of custody and transforming traditionally time-consuming manual processes, increasing efficiency, and reducing human error.

Fifteen brands worldwide are currently using TrusTrace for forced labor prevention, including Vera Bradley (NYSE: VRA). The brand sees proactive supply chain traceability and data management as crucial to fulfilling their ESG commitments.

“At Vera Bradley, our commitment to sourcing responsibly is at the core of our business practices,” said Director of Global Sourcing Ayfer Yarcich. “Mapping our supply chain and gathering purchase order data is a critical step in this journey. By integrating TrusTrace’s upgraded FLP solution, we are not only working towards a transparent and forced labor-free supply chain but also aspiring to set a new standard in responsible and sustainable business practices. This transformative step underscores our dedication to our public ESG commitments and our vision of leading the industry towards a more ethical and sustainable future.”

The Forced Labor Prevention Solution has provided Vera Bradley with granular visibility into their supply chain, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations.

“Meeting varying data reporting requirements can be challenging for brands,” added Ghosh. “TrusTrace has created a comprehensive solution with a flexible framework that collects all relevant traceability data points, so brands can consolidate data collection to comply with multiple current and future regulations. Spending less time and resources on compliance then frees up valuable time to focus on driving new business opportunities and – ultimately – impact.”