Stories: Supply Chain

Imagine you’re in a supermarket picking up your late-night snack. Do you wonder where it came from, how it was made, and whether it was sourced ethically or not?  If the answer is yes, you are an informed and conscious consumer.

Now, think about being on the other side – the buyer responsible for ensuring that every step behind those products is transparent, ethical, and traceable. In industries with complex supply chains like palm oil, this is no easy task. That’s where SmartTrace comes in. As our blockchain-based traceability system, SmartTrace redefines how we guarantee product integrity, providing buyers, suppliers, and customers with transparency across every stage of the supply chain.

What is SmartTrace?

SmartTrace is GAR’s answer to the need for better supply chain transparency. Using cutting-edge blockchain technology, SmartTrace allows us to track every step of our product’s journey, from the plantation to the end customer. Literally, from seed to shelf.

Traditionally, tracing the journey of palm oil was a manual process that involved multiple parties, and often led to delays or inaccuracies in tracking. SmartTrace changes that by automating the process and cranking up speed and precision.

Why use SmartTrace?

It is because SmartTrace offers full visibility across the entire supply chain. “Traditional systems limit what you can see, but SmartTrace gives an end-to-end birds’ eye view, putting all stakeholders into a common, secure ledger,” notes Suwandi. This means no more gaps in information and no more blind spots for businesses.

Key benefits for buyers, customers, and suppliers

What makes SmartTrace stand out in the market is how it aids all involved – buyers, customers, and suppliers alike.

How SmartTrace helps meet EUDR requirements

Complying with the European Union’s Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) can be challenging for businesses, particularly when it comes to certifying that their supply chains are deforestation-free. SmartTrace addresses this by offering key features designed to meet these requirements – and is integrated with the EU’s TRACES system to support seamless compliance and data exchange.

Anggun Wikannisa, our Policy Analyst, explains, “SmartTrace helps both buyers and suppliers by digitising the due diligence process and making it easier to collect and deal with the data needed to meet EUDR requirements. It ensures all the necessary information is easily accessible for businesses to prove their compliance.”

“Not only can users view and download reports for submission to EUDR, buyers are also able to check on their billing of ladings, and keep an eye on a deforestation map. Plus, as a web-based platform, users can access it from any browser at any time.”

Beyond its adaptability to the EUDR, SmartTrace is also flexible enough to support other regulatory frameworks. With more regulations supporting deforestation-free practices on the horizon, SmartTrace is designed to be easily adapted for compliance across global supply chains.

Learn how GAR’s sustainability strategies and advanced systems can help you navigate the EUDR and other regulations here.