Cotton risk rebounds despite traceability push

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Prevalence of prohibited cotton rebounds despite improved traceability and tougher legislation, collapsing trust in apparel brands

LONDON — Cotton risks have surged across major apparel supply chains despite rapid uptake of traceability tools and tougher forced labour rules, according to a new report.

Oritain's Global Supply Chain Intelligence Report, based on forensic testing of 1,000 finished garments a year from 2021 to 2025, found the share of brands with at least one result consistent with prohibited cotton jumped from 64% in 2024 to 90% in 2025.

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