Supply Trace

Supply Trace is an open access database that identifies potential risks in global supply chains to enable both supply chain due diligence and more effective accountability. The tool combines expert desk-based risk investigations with machine learning / AI-powered mapping of customs records and other supply chain data to map relationships deep into supply chains, beyond tier 1. Supply Trace exists to incentivize and enable businesses, and other stakeholders, to mitigate and provide remedy for adverse human rights and environmental impacts in global supply chains. It does this by highlighting potential risks in specific production locations and supply chains from evidence curated by our research. It presents this information in a granular way so that decision makers can take action.

Launched in March 2024, Supply Trace is currently a research project incubated at Northeastern University. In its pilot phase, it focuses on the apparel sector and links between forced labor in the Uyghur Region of China and shipments to the U.S. In the future, Supply Trace will progressively expand to other industries, affected regions, and categories of risk. Supply Trace is available for anyone to search who has an interest in better understanding supply chain conditions, including companies, government, trade experts, civil society, investors, lawyers, auditors, advocates, journalists, researchers and more.