Why do traders (including brands) need to be certified if they do not handle product?
In order to maintain full chain of custody, it is nessecary for a new site to be certified if they take legal ownership of the goods. Transaction certificates are issued between buyers and sellers and so traders, including brands, purchasing and housing certified product and resell to other businesses require their own certification. This ensures the volume is controlled and monitored by certification bodies. There is an exemption for traders who take legal possession but not physical possession of the goods – they are not required to hold their own scope certificate. Please refer to the trader requirements in the CCS 3.0 for more detail. https://textileexchange.org/documents/content-claim-standard-ccs/