Arendalsuka is the largest political gathering in Norway held annually since 2012. The event’s mission is to strengthen the belief in political empowerment and democracy through open debate and involvement.

Christopher Lilholm, head of global key customer management at DNV, spoke on the panel “Hvordan løser vi tekstilfloken?” (How do we solve the textile problem?) with Røde Kors Tøy og Tekstil AS, Stortinget, Voice Norge, Ada Martini and Norges Røde Kors (Norwegian Red Cross) on how the emerging technologies of supply chain traceability, digital product passports (DPPs) and assured blockchain data can help a transition toward more sustainable fashion.

He also discussed the rapidly evolving marketplace for circular business models, and emerging regulations and requirements such as the EU Green Deal, New Circular Economy Action Plan, Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition.

“The fashion and textiles industry needs to rise to higher standards of sustainability and ethics, and therefore adopting digital assurance methods is key to tracking actions, driving improvements, and evidencing the positive changes being made by businesses,” Christopher Lilholm says.

“DNV’s solutions which use real-time data and insights across supply chains establish trust, transparency and traceability which not only show investors and regulators that a business in on the right track, but also provides the means for consumers to make more informed decisions. Creating a digital, assured ecosystem for supply chains across the fashion and textiles industry is the key to unlocking a sustainable future.”

DNV also attended the “Slutten på Fast Fashion?” (The end of fast fashion?) session, witnessing a national debate between regulators, industry and stakeholders on the nuances of the forthcoming EU regulations in the context of Norway. Whether Norway should follow 1:1 this regulation or raise the bar further was a critical discussion point.

DNV also participated in other sessions at Arendalsuka, such as “Energinasjon eller industinasjon” discussing key topics from where to best place offshore floating wind, opportunities related to CCS and the need for carbon carriers. It also attended sustainable finance session “Klimasatsingen I finansnæringen – er alt grønnvasking?” hosted by UN Global Compact and Grieg Investor.

The event was live streamed, and you can watch it temporarily here.

Three key take-ways enabling the green fashion transitions and embodied in DNV’s digital product passport solution (My Story™) are product traceability, supply chain sustainability and circularity, and trustworthy communication.