What is Global Trace-Base (GTB) and how does it work?
Global Trace-Base (GTB) is a centralised data system developed by Global Standard for managing GOTS' Scope and Transaction Certification information.
It aims to bring greater transparency as well as enable traceability and fraud prevention in textile supply chains.
GTB delivers value to Certification Bodies (CBs) and Certified Entities (CEs) by focusing on GOTS-certified supply chains, end-to-end paths and new sources of sustainability data.
What are the timelines for integrating certificate data into GTB?
We started the process of bringing certification data into GTB in October 2024 and expect to gradually complete its integration as follows:
- Phase 1 (December 2024): Scope Certificate (SC) information
- Phase 2 (April 2025): Transaction Certificate (TC) information
- Phase 3 (mid-Q3 2025): SC, TC and historical records quality readiness
Past certificate information is required from January 2024 onwards. In exceptional circumstances, we may ask for relevant data before that date upon assessment on a case-by-case basis.
How is data ingested (or delivered) into GTB?
There are two main ways in which certification data is brought into our system:
- Automatically, via an Application Programming Interface (API)
- Manually, via data files’ imports
Alternatively, Certification Body users may also enter data manually directly in the GTB Portal Interface – however this method is less preferred as it leads to inconsistencies in data integrity.
How does the API work today and who can use it?
The upload API is a built-in connection designed to allow cross-system data exchanges in a reliable, secure and efficient setup, particularly those managed by Certification Bodies (CBs) and linked to GTB.
The upload API makes use of a set of standardised parameters, including data fields and values, for the effective and automatic retrieval of certification information. It is primarily developed to facilitate data sharing for CBs and may be extended for further use cases.
What information do we capture today, and how detailed is it?
Scope and Transaction data cover several fields and values related to the reach, business relations and operations of supply chain actors and their certified activities. Information is standardised, shared and collected following a set of parameters based on GOTS’ Standards and Policies, as well as industry benchmarks.
Data aggregation takes place at multiple levels, depending on scope and scale of certified activities:
- Certified Entity
- Facility
- Process Category
- Product Category
How does traceability work in GTB, and how is it shaped by regulation?
Traceability in GTB today is conceived in a linear fashion based on Transaction Certificate information, from first processor to retailer, and modelled on ISEAL’s Chain of Custody.
It brings together and aggregates multiple steps in the certified global supply chain at the facility, process category and product category levels per Certified Entity.
As the regulatory framework continues to evolve, as well as new global and regional policies and rules come into effect, we are aligning to the industry requirements for delivering a coherent, consistent and compliant technology solution.
A few examples of such efforts consider ongoing regulations and industry best practices:
- Eco-design for Sustainable Products (ESPR-EU)
- Digital Product Passport (DPP)
- General Data Protection (GPDR-EU)
- ISEAL Chain of Custody
- ISEAL’s Data Governance
Will it be possible to trace back an individual textile product from origin?
The highest level of detail currently captured in GTB is based on Transaction Certificate (TC) requirements, such as process category, products and materials.
To enable a deeper view of activities at item level per individual product, TC requirements will need new revision cycles, bringing about substantial changes to how they work today. This may also put the attention and development efforts on more advanced technology options, such as RFID, NFC or distributed ledgers, to trace every single dispersed step of a product journey.
What is volume reconciliation?
Volume reconciliation is the process of identifying, flagging and acting upon material or product weight or quantity inefficiencies in textile process operations.
It aims to identify weight or quantity discrepancies worth flagging that could potentially trigger fraudulent activities. Volume reconciliation looks at:
- Input Transaction Certificate
- Output Transaction Certificate
- Tolerance thresholds (%)
- Loss conversion (%)
What is the Transaction Certificates' (TCs) issuance flow, and what is the role of GTB in it?
The issuance flow for GOTS Transaction Certificates (TCs) begins when a certified supplier initiates the certification process for a product or batch of goods. After the supplier meets the necessary GOTS criteria, the Certification Body issues the TC for the certified products. These certificates serve as necessary proof that these goods meet GOTS criteria and can be traced throughout the supply chain.
GTB will play a central role in this process. It functions as a secure, centralised repository for all issued Scope Certificates and TCs.
Will the official version of Transaction Certificates (TCs) be available for download in GTB?
The official Transaction Certificates (TCs), which are issued by Certification Bodies (CBs), will indeed be available for download from the system. As a central data repository, GTB allows certified suppliers, buyers and other stakeholders to access and verify the validity of TCs.
How do we specify last processors when issuing a TC for a trader?
In the context of GOTS and GTB, last processors refer to the last activity in the textile processing chain, namely Manufacturing.
Trading and Warehousing are considered commercial activities, outside the scope of this process. Therefore, last processors should not be selected, assigned or added to Trader TCs in GTB.