A centralized system for internal data helps sustainability teams by giving them direct access to verified material attributes, supplier certifications, and testing results. For example, if a brand is making a sustainability claim around PFAS-free materials, recycled content, or the use of certified fibers, the sustainability team can pull that information directly from the material library and test results in Texbase, rather than relying on separate spreadsheets or ad hoc supplier communication.
As Joe explained during the session, “If you’re going to make a claim, you want to be able to back it up. The only way to do that is to have a source of truth that’s tied to actual testing and material data, not what a supplier said in an email.”
Having this data structured and connected allows sustainability teams to produce more accurate reports and to ensure that what is being marketed matches the verified product information.

Texbase is not a replacement for PLM. It complements PLM by managing areas that most PLMs do not cover. This includes detailed testing data, supplier certifications, and compliance workflows.
As Joe explained during the session, "PLMs are really good at managing the product development process. They handle styles, colorways, and timelines. But they typically stop when you get into test requirements, the back and forth with suppliers, and tracking the actual results of testing. That is where Texbase fits in."
Texbase can connect to PLMs through direct integrations or through file-based exchanges, depending on how your system is set up. Many brands manage styles and BOMs in PLM, and manage materials, components, test requirements, and test results in Texbase. This allows compliance and sustainability data to be structured and audit-ready without disrupting the product development process in PLM.

Many brands are realizing that disconnected systems and manual processes will not keep up with the pace of new regulatory demands. Requirements like Digital Product Passports and PFAS restrictions expect brands to provide accurate, detailed data about the materials, components, and testing behind their products.
During the webinar, Joe explained that the biggest challenge for many teams is not the regulation itself, but whether their internal data is organized enough to respond. If your data is scattered across spreadsheets, supplier emails, and inconsistent systems, it will be difficult to pull together the information needed for reporting.
Building a strong internal foundation now, where material data, testing results, and supplier certifications are centralized and connected, will help ensure that future reporting can be handled without last-minute scrambles. As Joe said, "If your internal data is organized, it is not hard to pivot and produce what is needed for the next regulation. If it is not, you are always scrambling."
Preparing today means less risk and less rework tomorrow.