Ability to Trace sets the stage for the traceable value chains of the future by offering small and large companies a practical framework that strengthens their ability to meet new requirements and business needs.
The problem
Traceability is defined by many companies as a prerequisite for achieving sustainability and business objectives. Companies responsible for placing products on the EU market currently have an increased need to document their value chains by sharing information on what was produced and delivered as well as when, where, why and to whom – all the way from raw material to finished product.
The need for traceability is largely driven by legislation such as (EUDR), (ESPR) and (CSRD). New requirements for detailed and standardized information throughout the supply chain should enable transparency for authorities, companies and consumers. As a result, many companies are currently asking themselves how to best implement an effective, standards-based traceability solution.
Solution
Ability to Trace will develop an open framework for implementing traceability solutions using GS1 standards for traceability. Through the framework, suppliers and retailers – regardless of size and industry – can create the conditions for efficient processes to communicate in a common digital business language.
The framework will be based on the GS1 TraceWay traceability methodology and global GS1 standards. By focusing on a concrete coffee value chain, challenges such as limited traceability and low level of digitizationare addressed, but the project’s recommendations will be applicable to different types of value chains. The approach is to validate the framework against the EUDR and verify functionality through recall processes.
The project intends to empower companies for future sustainability regulations while addressing other business needs.
Our ambition with this project is to show how GS1 standards can enable traceability in the value chain as many new legislations currently require traceability. We and our partners look forward to sharing more about the project and the lessons we will learn along the way.
Helene Kraft
Head of Sales & Client Relations Core, GS1 Sweden
Ensuring traceability is an integral part of our sustainability work and enables us to take responsibility for our value chain. It is also an important prerequisite for meeting future legal and consumer requirements for our products.
Peter Dannqvist
Supply Chain Director, Arvid Nordquist
Traceability is central to ICA’s business and plays a crucial role from many perspectives. Traceability data is a prerequisite for consumer safety, quality control, transparency and sustainability. Last but not least, it is important for meeting all current and future legal requirements.
Susanne Forsberg
Manager Data Quality, ICA Sweden
Result
Ability to Trace is committed to providing a practical framework that strengthens companies’ ability to meet future traceability requirements and business needs. The framework is aimed at suppliers and retailers who, regardless of size or industry, need to implement a traceability solution.
The basis of the framework will be guiding processes for operations, data management and organization. This is to enable actors in the value chain to ensure effective traceability by exchanging data with each other in a common digital business language.
The framework will be validated against EUDR requirements and verified through the recall process. In addition, the project will share insights and lessons learned from the project.
Partners
Ability to Trace is run by GS1 Sweden and partners in the project are Arvid Nordquist HAB and ICA Sverige AB. There is also a reference group linked to the project.