As tariffs expanded and enforcement accelerated, the broker’s role evolved rapidly. Today, Licensed Customs Brokers are advising importers on classification strategy, valuation methodology, origin substantiation, and lawful tariff mitigation. We help companies understand not just what they owe, but why they owe it, how exposure can be reduced, and how decisions will hold up under audit. For thousands of importers, the Licensed Customs Broker has become a primary source of guidance in an environment where mistakes are costly and assumptions are dangerous.

In the Christmas story, the gift of frankincense by the Magi to the infant Jesus was a gift of one of the most precious substances in the ancient world. Tradition tells us that frankincense, with its sweet and sacred aroma, represents divinity evoking the feeling of peace and well-being, which makes it something special.

The textile industry is shifting. Regulators are raising expectations, brands are being held accountable, and consumers are no longer satisfied with promises—they want proof.

Sustainability and traceability are no longer parallel conversations; they are now inseparable. Cotton sits at the center of this change, and companies that can demonstrate where, how, and under what conditions their materials are made are defining the future.

Every year on December 10th, the world pauses to recognize Human Rights Day, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It is a moment of reflection, accountability, and recommitment to the shared belief that dignity, fairness, and freedom are not privileges — they are rights.

The apparel business doesn’t suffer from a shortage of sustainability promises. Every trade show booth has a “green” banner. Every deck has a slide with trees and arrows. You’d think, judging by the marketing, that we’ve already solved the problem. Meanwhile, mills struggle, factories close, and workers still live with the consequences of an industry that chases price first and cleans up the story later.

As brands look to phase out fossil-derived ingredients and meet new regulatory expectations, material verification has moved from a back-office exercise to a central part of business strategy. Nature Coatings’ BioBlack platform, a 100% biobased line of pigments made from FSC certified wood waste, is emerging to accelerate that shift. It offers traceable origins, clean chemistry, and a verified emissions profile at a moment when companies are being asked by global regulators and consumers to verify what their products contain.

What inspired you to create COLOURizd? Colour has always been central to good design, yet traditional dyeing remains one of the industry’s most resource-intensive and polluting stages. My partners and I wanted to change that. As longtime industry insiders, we had unknowingly contributed to the problem — until we learned enough to know we could do better.

Working alongside mills, startups, and large-scale manufacturers, Texoligy specializes in helping clients bridge the critical gap between innovation and production reality. The company’s services focus on developing and scaling textile solutions, optimizing manufacturing performance, and building long-term operational capability.

As autumn deepens, sunflowers stand tall as a symbol of warmth, resilience, and optimism. Their golden faces turn toward the light, reminding us to stay rooted in purpose while seeking clarity and truth. In supply chains, the same principle applies: we must look beyond the surface, following the evidence that illuminates authenticity and sustainability.

At GenuTrace, we help brands and manufacturers trace every step back to its origin—because transparency, like the sunflower, always turns toward the light.

GenuTrace celebrates World Science Day with reflections from our scientific leadership team. Featuring Dr. Ling Dong, Principal Scientist & Dr. Barbara Brockway, Science Advisor for GenuTrace.

Textile science has long preached one approach to cleaning and bleaching cotton: high temperatures and caustic soda. Let’s be frank — it works, but it comes at a cost.

Throughout the world, counterfeiting comes in two main forms. The first is the “gentle fraud”: a handbag in the marketplace that looks like Gucci, or a chocolate bar in a discount store that resembles a Cadbury’s but it is not.

This month we celebrate the Chrysanthemum—often called the “October flower.” With its vibrant layers and resilient blooms, the chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity, optimism, and joy. In many cultures, it is also a reminder of harvest, reflection, and renewal as we move into the final months of the year. Just as each petal contributes to the fullness of the blossom, every step toward supply chain transparency brings us closer to true sustainability.

Rikke Bech, CEO & Founder of NewRetex, shares how advanced sorting technology and traceability can transform textile recycling and prove the sustainability of recycled fibers.

GenuTrace, LLC, a leader in forensic supply chain verification, and Refiberd, an AI-driven innovator in textile sorting, today announced astrategic collaboration to deliver a dual-layer validation system. The system combines forensic science and AI to verify the authenticity and origin of fiber, yarn and fabric.

The textile industry faces two persistent constraints. Suppliers operate with thin margins and are unable to finance the infrastructure upgrades required to cut emissions at scale. Brands face recurring surcharges when sourcing next generation fibres that remain structurally more expensive than conventional alternatives. Fibre innovators, in turn, remain trapped in small volumes because demand is unstable and highly sensitive to price.

Is your organic, single-origin, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) actually organic, single-origin, and made from olives?

It may surprise you to know that sometimes it isn’t despite what the label says.

In 2023, Spanish and Italian authorities uncovered massive food fraud schemes. Producers, often subcontractors to larger brands, were arrested for passing off lampante olive oil (a low-grade oil considered unfit for consumption due to poor flavor and quality) as prized extra virgin olive oil. Hundreds of thousands of liters were affected.