As brands accelerate their adoption of sustainable materials, upstream supply chain stakeholders—especially hemp fiber processors and their contracted farms—face growing pressure to meet traceability expectations.

For decorticators and hemp fiber producers, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Brands want natural, low-impact fibers like hemp, but they also want assurances. They need to know where the fiber comes from, how it was grown, and whether it aligns with environmental and social standards.

With new supply chain regulations taking shape across the EU, apparel brands are under pressure to verify where their materials come from and how they’re made. For those working with natural fibers like hemp, the question is: how do you turn an often opaque, underdeveloped supply chain into a transparent, trustworthy one?

For apparel brands sourcing natural fibers like hemp, the European Union’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) signal a clear shift — if you can’t verify your supply chain, you can’t do business as usual. Here’s what’s changing—and how the Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS) can help you stay ahead.

How do we successfully communicate the message of natural, sustainable, and traceable fibers to the end consumer — the one who’s focused on price, durability, and performance?

Hemp is frequently touted as one of the most sustainable natural fibers available—fast-growing, low water use, naturally pest-resistant, and capable of regenerating soil. From an environmental standpoint, it checks nearly every box that fashion brands are aiming for in their sustainability goals. So why isn’t hemp a core part of the textile industry yet? Despite its promise, hemp fiber still occupies a small, niche corner of fashion and textiles. The problem isn’t the fiber—it’s the system.

As hemp reemerges as a renewable natural fiber with increasing relevance in fashion and textiles, many brands are searching for a way to source it responsibly, without falling into the trap of greenwashing or unverifiable claims.

As hemp makes its way into more apparel supply chains, claims around “organic” or “regenerative” production are becoming increasingly common. While some farmers may indeed be using methods aligned with these principles, the absence of a unified definition—or third-party certification—means that these terms are often subjective, inconsistently applied, and difficult to verify.

INCCert launches the Responsible Hemp Standard, ensuring traceability and best practices from farm to finished product through third-party verification.

Apparel companies are no longer judged solely by the fashion-forwardness of their designs. Today's consumers demand to know the origins of their garments, from the field to the hanger. Supply chain transparency offers a window into this journey, revealing the processes, practices, and environmental impacts associated with each piece of clothing.

The global call for sustainable practices in agriculture has never been more urgent. In this pursuit, industrial hemp is emerging as a climate-smart agricultural commodity with immense potential to revolutionize various industries. However, for industrial hemp to truly establish itself as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and gain the trust of major manufacturers and retailers, a robust certification program like RHS (Responsible Hemp Standard) is essential.

With climate change being one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today, the need for climate-smart agricultural commodities becomes paramount. Hemp is an emerging fiber and oilseed crop that can serve as a raw material to numerous industries with the potential to foster climate action through global trade.