In a featured conversation on WTiN’s Textile Innovation podcast, host Abigail Turner welcomed MeiLin Wan, founder and CEO of GenuTrace, to explore how cutting-edge forensic science and traceability technology are transforming ESG compliance and supply chain transparency across textiles, personal care, and beyond.

Today’s environmental push in fashion has created more problems than it has solved.

What began as reform has devolved into marketing, full of talk but short on action. Just ask the brands. Conferences, campaigns, and pledges are everywhere, while emissions and wasteful production continue to rise. We’re supposed to be changing the model. Instead, the industry has seemingly rewrapped the same machine in recycled packaging and congratulated itself on a job well done for the environment.

As the summer heat peaks, the blue hydrangea takes center stage—symbolizing understanding, heartfelt connections, and deep gratitude. Much like this vibrant bloom, our work this month is rooted in authenticity and transparency across the supply chain.

Global supply chains are under growing scrutiny—and for good reason. The prevalence of forced labor in the production of goods destined for the U.S. market has led to a surge in enforcement actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including Withhold Release Orders (WROs) that can severely disrupt trade.

This summer and fall, the GenuTrace team will be volunteering with Save The Great South Bay to support its Great South Bay Oyster Project—specifically by cleaning and preparing oyster shells (spat‑on‑shell) — a critical step in restorative aquaculture.

This month, we’re proud to highlight our new collaboration with Tailorlux Integrity Solutions—a partnership that blossoms with shared commitment to innovation and traceable integrity in the supply chain. Like a summer rose, this alliance unites beauty and strength, setting a heartfelt tone for what’s ahead.

The biggest shift we've seen over the past three years is that “If you claim it, can you prove it?” is no longer a rhetorical question—it’s a legal and operational necessity. Brands and manufacturers, especially those importing into the U.S., are under increasing pressure to substantiate their claims of origin — not just for cotton, but for any product that could have a nexus to a high‑risk region.

Greige goods — the unprocessed foundation of textiles — often escape scrutiny. Discover how GenuTrace uses forensic science to trace and verify fiber origin before manufacturing, ensuring supply chain transparency and compliance.

Welcoming Spring and New Beginnings at GenuTrace

As spring unfolds in vibrant bloom, we’re reminded of the energy and renewal this season brings. The rhododendron — seen here in full blossom — is more than just a harbinger of warmer days. With its lush petals and resilient nature, it symbolizes new opportunities, optimism, and the strength that lies in beauty and growth. It’s a fitting emblem for the journey ahead.

GenuTrace, LLC, a supply chain consultancy specializing in traceability, brand protection, and product authentication, announces its official launch. Founded by industry pioneer MeiLin Wan, GenuTrace addresses one of today’s most urgent challenges: scientifically proving product origin and authenticity.

When it comes to verifying the origins of your raw materials or finished goods, timing is everything. By the time a product is loaded onto a ship or transformed into a final garment, the window to make meaningful changes — or even correct errors — has likely closed.