AAFA's Global glossary for apparel & footwear sector

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has published its first-ever Global Apparel, Footwear, & Accessories Glossary of Traceability Terms. Developed to establish a common reference point across the sector, the open-source document defines key traceability concepts and addresses terminology increasingly found in existing and emerging international regulations.

The initiative stems from a collaborative effort by the AAFA Traceability Working Group and the Solutions Providers Advisory Group. This collective comprises representatives from the entire supply chain—ranging from raw materials providers and technology firms to global brands and retailers. To ensure widespread alignment, the working group consulted with dozens of industry organizations and engaged directly with active traceability initiatives worldwide.

As a live industry resource, this publicly available glossary is structured to be updated regularly. Future iterations will incorporate emerging traceability concepts alongside new terminology introduced by evolving global regulatory frameworks.

"This is an exciting time for our industry as regulations begin to take shape, driving greater transparency and stronger outcomes for people and the planet," said Nate Herman, Executive Vice President of AAFA. "As these conversations evolve, we saw a clear need to align on language so everyone can engage with a shared understanding to help drive progress and avoid roadblocks."

To support the rollout, the association will host a virtual industry briefing on 15 July at 10:00 AM ET to outline the background, objectives, and upcoming phases of the project. This publication builds upon the association's ongoing regulatory work, notably the establishment of the THREADS Sustainability and Social Responsibility Protocol, which helps policymakers develop practical, workable, and effective industry legislation.

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