--- title: "RSSC 2026 Session: It's More Than Just Legislation" description: Learn how Debenhams Group navigate their supply chain transparency journey with Segura, including audit and CAP management, supplier 360 and tier mapping. image: https://www.segura.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20%284%29-2.png --- [![segura_landscape_logo-1](https://www.segura.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/segura_landscape_logo-1.png?width=2137&height=685&name=segura_landscape_logo-1.png "segura_landscape_logo-1")](https://www.segura.co.uk/) # RSSC 2026 Session: It's More Than Just Legislation - ** Written by Mori Chiang - ** Published on 22 April 2026 - [**Blogs](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/tag/blogs) [**Sustainable Sourcing](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/tag/sustainable-sourcing) [**Customers](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/tag/customers) [**Supply Chain Mapping](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/tag/supply-chain-mapping) One of the most well-received sessions at [RSSC 2026,](https://inbound.segura.co.uk/retail-supply-chain-sustainability-conference-2026) Sophie Rycroft from Debenhams Group strengthened her messages about doing the right thing, getting ahead before the legislative pressure arrives, and the positive impact a central mindset has on implementing data strategies and software.  ![Sophie speaking](https://www.segura.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(5)-1.png?width=687&height=386&name=Untitled%20design%20(5)-1.png)*Speaker - Sophie Rycroft, Global ESG, Sourcing and Quality Director, Debenhams Group* *(Hosted by Ed Austin, Director, Segura) * **In this article, we uncover the supply chain transparency journey with Debenhams Group:** - [Starting from scratch: building the ESG function](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#Scratch) - [Why legislation alone wasn't the deciding factor](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#legislation) - [Phase one: audit and CAP management](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#Phase1) - [Phase two: tier mapping beyond Tier 1](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#Phase2) - [How to convince the management team](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#Management-team) - [Bringing suppliers on the journey](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#Suppliers-journey) - [How Segura supports supply chain transparency](https://www.segura.co.uk/resources/press/rssc-2026-session-its-more-than-just-legislation#Segura) ### Starting from scratch: building the ESG function at Debenhams Group Sophie stepped in to her role at [Debenhams Group](https://www.debenhams.com/) as Global ESG, Sourcing and Quality Director nearly two years ago. Her first six months were spent building out the team internationally and in the UK, mapping what needed to be done across the key ESG pillars, and developing a strategy to present to a new CEO. The strategy - built around three pillars covering environment, social and governance - gave the ESG team both a direction and a mandate. The governance pillar, where upstream supply chain transparency and traceability sit, was identified as the area requiring the most focused, detailed work, which led the team to Segura following a six-month evaluation of different vendors and platforms.   ### Why legislation alone wasn't the deciding factor When asked whether legislation or strategic direction was the primary driver, Sophie was direct. Both matter.  “We know legislation is here and more is coming. If you do not have visibility of your supply chain. If your data is not organised, in one place and accessible, it makes legislative compliance impossible. Data is the number one thing to get right, so Segura was a no-brainer for us in terms of what you do.” She acknowledged the scale of the regulatory landscape ("me and my team call it the alphabet soup because you just get lost in it") but said waiting for legislation to force the issue was never the plan. It was important for them not to wait, but to start mapping their tiers and getting their data in a row, so that when legislation comes at them, they could just jump on it with confidence. *''But the team’s motivation went beyond legislation. For Debenhams, sustainability and ESG weren’t a tick box, but the future. It was about delivering ethical, sustainable products to consumers at affordable prices by pushing volumes of responsible materials through ethical suppliers to manufacture in a way that had the lowest impact on the environment.'' - Sophie Rycroft, Debenhams Group * ### Phase one: audit and CAP management Debenhams Group structured their implementation in two phases. Phase one — now fully embedded — focused on overhauling audit management and corrective action plan (CAP) tracking. Auditors now being able to type findings directly into the platform while still on the factory floor in India or Turkey - instantly uploaded, instantly graded, with no write-up delay on return. It means that, not only are they making buying decision based on real-time data, but with the system making the process less manual it freed up more time for her team. Now her team can visit twice as many factories in the same time.  Beyond audits, the Segura platform will house all test reports, sustainability reports, certifications and supplier documentation in one place, enabling what Sophie describes as a full "supplier 360’’ view of performance across ethical compliance, product compliance, environmental performance, and sustainability progress, all in a single system. *“By giving suppliers a grading, we can identify areas where we can help suppliers improve their ethical and environmental performance, make better buying decisions aligned to our ESG strategies, and reward great behaviours.” - Sophie Rycroft, Debenhams Group *   #### Phase two: tier mapping beyond Tier 1 Phase two -  supply chain mapping beyond Tier 1 -  is currently underway, and Sophie was candid about both the progress and the challenges. The team is almost halfway through their supply chain mapping journey, and the experience has taught them two things.  First, many suppliers are already on this journey with other retailers, which makes engagement easier than expected. Second, for those who are not, the educational burden of explaining what tier mapping means, what needs to be uploaded, and who is responsible at each tier has taken longer than we would have liked - not because of the platform, but because of the supply base itself. However, once this was done, the onboarding was seamless: *“I thought many of our suppliers would struggle to onboard onto the platform, but actually the system has been seamless and the support and guidance from Segura, regardless of global time-zones, has been really useful.” - Sophie Rycroft, Debenhams Group * The decision to start with the top 20 suppliers and then expand to the top 50 was deliberate and, in retrospect, the right call. It allowed the team to concentrate effort, build supplier capability gradually, and avoid overwhelming the supply base all at once. This led to a moment when suppliers started saying things were easier and more responsive with the platform. #### How to convince the management team First, she ran a focus group with colleagues across the business before presenting to the board. The insight from that group -  that employees at every level were actively asking what the company's ESG strategy was, and choosing employers partly on that basis — carried significant weight in the boardroom. It meant she was presenting the business's voice. Second, she brought a clear list of business outcomes rather than ESG abstractions. The case she made to the board was built around: centralised compliance data, improved supplier performance visibility, greater supply chain transparency, streamlined audit and CAP management, enhanced reporting and data accuracy, reduced admin workload, improved supplier accountability, stronger risk management and governance, and scalable supply chain governance. Third, she was explicit about the framing: this is not additional spending, it is front-ending costs that would otherwise arrive later as fines and remediations further down the line. The biggest piece of advice was not to overwhelm key stakeholders with data, but rather focus on the implications of not addressing supply chain transparency and traceability – the impact on your business, its operations and its reputation. Supporting your arguments with case studies and legal requirements. #### Bringing suppliers on the journey When Debenhams Group launched its new ESG strategy in March 2025, Sophie presented it to suppliers at the same time as internal teams -  before any asks were made of them. The suppliers were brought onto the journey early, told why the strategy mattered, and shown what it would mean for their own business: better grading, more attractive positioning to other retailers, and the opportunity to become what Sophie called a "gold standard supplier." Crucially, she also made the case to her buying and merchandising teams. If buyers are in factories and treating ESG requirements as optional, the whole strategy falls apart. At Debenhams Group, buyers now open supplier meetings by asking where they are on their Segura journey and what certifications are in place -  before the commercial conversation begins. *"Our suppliers are our partners, so it is super important they benefit from the platform as well -  having everything in one place, a tool that enables them to be more responsive and see their own ESG performance. They want to do a great job and work with us, so it is absolutely important to bring them on board.” Sophie Rycroft, Debenhams Group* ### How Segura supports supply chain transparency The Debenhams Group story reflects exactly what Segura is built to deliver. From audit and CAP management to multi-tier supply chain mapping, certification tracking, and supplier 360 views, Segura brings every element of supply chain governance into a single platform, replacing disconnected spreadsheets and email chains with real-time, validated data.  If you would like to explore supply chain transparency, get in touch with us today at [info@segura.co.uk](mailto:info@segura.co.uk). 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Failure to maintain compliance can result in legal penalties, damaged reputation, supply chain disruptions, restricted market access and even product recalls. Many companies are required to implement compliance programmes, supplier audits, and risk assessments to ensure all elements of their supply chain align with regulatory and ethical expectations." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the different types of compliance in the supply chain?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Three types of compliance you may frequently come across are supplier compliance, product compliance, and legislative compliance. While they all fall under the broader category of supply chain compliance, each focuses on different aspects—though they often overlap. Below is a summary of what each term means. 1. SUPPLIER COMPLIANCE  Supplier compliance ensures that suppliers and vendors adhere to a company’s standards, including contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and ethical business practices. This requires suppliers staying up-to-date with the latest documentation, policies, and terms set by your business. Key aspects of supplier compliance include adhering to regulatory requirements—like the UK Modern Slavery Act—while also upholding ethical and social responsibilities, including fair wages and reasonable working hours. Additionally, it may require suppliers to adhere to established environmental standards, ensuring alignment with company policies on sustainable sourcing (e.g. FSC-certified wood, organic cotton, or conflict-free minerals), minimising carbon footprints, and enhancing waste management practices. To ensure compliance, businesses often implement third-party audits, corrective action plans, and certification programmes that verify supplier adherence to these standards. HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP WITH SUPPLIER COMPLIANCE Compliance software helps businesses monitor, assess and improve supplier performance more efficiently. For example, Segura’s compliance software allows businesses to:  Set up supplier scorecards with ratings based on company standards. (We can import data from different teams, not just CSR, but buying, finance etc.) Create audit clauses and classify issues as major or minor. Receive automatic alerts when audits or certifications are about to expire. A configurable traffic light system provides a clear visual overview of supplier compliance across different locations. For audits requiring corrective action plans, suppliers can submit evidence of improvement, which can then be reviewed, accepted, or rejected by your team.  As suppliers address compliance issues and provide verified evidence, their ratings automatically update, ensuring continuous improvement. 2. LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE Legislative compliance ensures that business activities throughout the supply chain align with relevant national and international legislation governing trade, labour, the environment, and overall business operations British companies must stay informed about evolving UK, EU and other international legislation, such as The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) which was enacted by the US Government in 2023, or with the eco-labelling requirements for businesses trading in France since 2024. Companies first need to know whether they are impacted by legislation as it can apply differently to companies based on size, turnover, and point of sale locales. Then they must ensure these updates are reflected in company documentation, including terms and conditions and policies.  Legislative compliance often involves making due diligence disclosures and filing reports to the relevant authorities, as with CSDDD and EPR. (We have prepared a number of valuable factsheets to help you achieve compliance with the most pressing legislation on our Insights page.) HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP WITH LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE Compliance software helps businesses set up specific and robust reports in order to prove compliance to legislation. For example, Segura’s compliance software allows businesses to:  Ensure they are capturing the data they need from suppliers to meet specific reporting requirements e.g. to prove locations of cotton sourced in China to meet UPFLA regulations. Import data validation from third parties, such as Higg Index if they're subscribed. Create custom reports, e.g. to back up green claims, create a specific report to show evidence of the claim. 3. PRODUCT COMPLIANCE Product compliance is making sure that products meet safety, quality, and legal standards before reaching consumers. Achieving product compliance involves input from across the supply chain.  Some key elements of product compliance includes: LABELLING & PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS Companies must comply with labelling and packaging requirements in each country they sell their products. There are many examples of legislation that must be followed to ensure compliance. For example, France has made environmental labelling a necessity since 2023.  Over the next few years labelling of products will require a digital product passport (DPP) as part of EU law. A DPP is an electronic record containing essential information about a product’s materials, origin, and production processes. This initiative will enhance compliance by improving transparency, traceability, and regulatory adherence throughout the supply chain. In terms of packaging, many countries including the EU and the UK have recently brought in Extended Producer Responsibility legislation transfering the responsibility of packaging in the post consumer stage to the producers. PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS Businesses must ensure that all products comply with regional and international safety regulations such as those regarding flammability, toxicity, and durability testing. They must also make sure that certain products have the required certification for product safety.  SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE As environmental concerns regarding climate change and other issues grow, product sustainability is increasingly demanded by both consumers and global legislation.  To help with this, many businesses are considering product Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to assist with compliance regarding evolving environmental regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation\" or \"EUDR” which came into force in December 2024. LCAs can also help meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable sourcing and circular design.  A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. It helps businesses and policymakers understand the environmental footprint of their operations and make more sustainable decisions. For example businesses may use an LCA to look at the materials they’re using in order to switch to a more sustainable option.  HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP WITH PRODUCT COMPLIANCE Compliance software helps businesses set up reports on their products that enable fashion retailers and brands to benchmark and monitor progress on their targets and regulatory measures. For example, Segura’s compliance software allows businesses to:  Trace and track use of sustainable materials in the supply chain, such as responsible or organic cotton. Capture and report on the use of chemicals specified as 'substances of concern' in the ESPR. Feed data into Life Cycle Assessment calculations on a per product basis. In our recent Retail Supply Chain Sustainability Conference our speaker, Denby Royal, from Peftrust, introduced their automated, data driven LCAs. Working with a platform like Segura, Peftrust can overcome the challenges of tradictional Life Cycle Assessments, which are slow and costly to calculate. By capturing specific data points from design through the supply, calculating sustainability data from design, manufacture and supply becomes scalable and affordable." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How Does Segura's Software Support Supply Chain Compliance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Managing supplier, legislative, and product compliance in retail can be a complex and time-consuming process, but Segura’s supply chain compliance software simplifies it by providing automated tools for monitoring and enforcing compliance standards. Supplier Compliance – Segura enables businesses to track supplier adherence to ethical, environmental, and regulatory requirements. The system allows for supplier ratings, audit management, and real-time alerts for expiring certifications, ensuring ongoing compliance. Legislative Compliance – Keeping up with evolving regulations is easier with automated compliance tracking, helping businesses update policies, contracts, and supplier agreements in line with UK, EU, and global legislation. Product Compliance – Segura’s platform supports businesses in ensuring product safety, labeling accuracy, and sustainability compliance. It can integrate data related to Digital Product Passports (DPP), traceable sourcing, and environmental certifications, helping retailers meet regulatory demands like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. By using Segura, retailers can gain greater transparency, reduce compliance risks, and build a more responsible and sustainable supply chain—all while saving time and resources. If you’d like to have a free exploratory call, get in touch with us today: info@segura.co.uk" } }] } ```