How QR codes can make a more sustainable RMG industry

Business Desk :
Digital labelling can significantly cut labeling waste and help in decarburization efforts of the local apparel sector, said the industry insiders.
Moreover, it will also play an effective role in controlling the manufacturing of counterfeit products since every input of the finished goods is expected to come under the digital labeling where all the parties in the supply chain will be identifiable.
They also said that it will thus enable the industry to better protect intellectual property rights (IPR).
Fashion industry is one of the largest polluters of the environment and it is estimated that conventional labeling waste is emitting around 343,000 MT of carbon dioxide.
Moreover, every year about 9.17 million kilometers of label tape is produced for the global fashion industry’s requirement which is enough to stretch between the earth and the moon twelve times each year.
In this regard, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is currently planning to introduce a Quick Response (QR) code label instead of conventional labels to check counterfeit products in the local and global markets and to facilitate sustainability.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said that it is their innovation and they have already started discussing it with the brands and buyers.
In a recent statement, he urged the international and local governments to modernize their domestic fashion labeling requirements and support the use of more sustainable and digital labels.
Digital technology solutions such as QR code labels can play a vital role in the shifting to the use of digital labels which would significantly reduce labeling waste, he remarked.
Moreover, reacting to the growing interest by consumers to receive information digitally, governments around the world are embracing digital approaches such as the proposed EU digital product passport. In this regard, he urged the governments to amend national regulations to allow the adoption of fully digital labeling.