The RFId Technology for Monitoring the Supply Chain and for Fighting against Counterfeiting: A Fashion Company Case Study

The purpose of this chapter, after a brief literature review, is to analyse how the RFId technologies applied by an Italian fashion firm, Oscalito, contribute to monitoring the supply chain and are a useful tool to fight against counterfeiting, enhanc-ing the Made in Italy. In the textile sector, characterised by a short and constantly evolving production cycle, the RFId technology has enormous potential. According to Regulation (EU) No 1007 / 2011 on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products, consumer protection requires transparent and consistent trade rules, including as regards, indications of origin. When such indications are used, they should enable consumers to be fully aware of the origin of the products they purchase, so as to protect them against fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading claims of origin. In this context, RFId technology has emerged as a valid support for the company not only to monitor the supply chain, especially with reference to inventory management, waste disposal, logistics and transport, but also to protect the Italian origin of production. This study also has some limitations, typical of the applied methodology.


. Introduction
The Textile Regulation (EU) No / on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products (hereafter, Regulation) was adopted in September and became applicable on May . It repealed and replaced the previous Textile Directives.
By it, the EU legislator intended to eliminate potential obstacles to a good functioning of the internal market, caused by divergent rules in the member states.
The enforcement of this Regulation thus aims at standardising textile fibre names as well as terms appearing on labels, markings and documents accompanying textile products in the various production, transformation and distribution cycles.
With the double objective of offering consumers accurate information and of improving the internal market, it also sets rules on labelling or marking of textile . Literature review RFId technology uses a radio frequency to identify, detect and locate objects [ ]. In a nutshell, these systems are based on remote reading of the information displayed by a specific label (the RFId tag), activated by a special reader. Thus, it is possible, through magnetic impulses, to codify the data contained in the tag accompanying the product throughout the entire production process [ ]. Passive RFId tags do not have own power supply; therefore, the chips are activated by the power received from the antenna of the reader.
Literature analysis primarily brought up two main uses of RFId tags in the textile industry: (i) for monitoring supply chains in general and (ii) as tools for fighting against counterfeiting.
The RFId Technology for Monitoring the Supply Chain and for Fighting against… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86344 . RFId technologies for monitoring the supply chain Numerous publications describe potential benefits of the use of RFId tags in the supply chain. For example, see [ -]. Few authors succeed in quantifying the benefits deriving from the application of this technology, because of the relatively scarce concrete applications [ ].
In recent years, RFId tags have risen great interest, and some authors [ ] believe that they will substitute bar codes, an automatic identification technology that has been characterising retail sales for decades [ ].
They are used for monitoring supply chains especially with reference to inventory management, waste disposal, logistics and transport [ ].
In the textile industry, characterised by a short and continuously evolving production cycle, RFId technology enjoys enormous potential. Brands such as Prada, Tesco, Wal-Mart, Benetton and, recently, Zara [ ] are studying possibilities for its implementation [ ]. The positive impact of these tags has been analysed by [ ], who presented the highly satisfactory results obtained along the supply chain by applying RFId tags to clothing items of a US company. In Ref. [ ], on the other hand, in a Hong Kong company, it has been noted that a resource allocation system based on RFId tags can ensure more efficient processes than those obtainable by traditional techniques.
The Italian textile and clothing industry has for years been struck by strong competition from emerging economies: this situation led some authors [ ] to verify the existence of traceability initiatives in order to obtain competitive advantages. The study analysed the 'Traccia' project for dissemination of the 'traceability of textile products' , carried out also by using RFId tags. It was brought into evidence that various traceability models might have come up, supported by public or private certification systems. Even though the textile industry is considered one of the most indicated for the application of this technology [ ], the authors lament that operators do not yet fully perceive its advantages.
The main responsibility for the delay in implementing these tags, on the Italian as well as the international level, seems to be upon difficulties in aligning objectives and strategies along the supply chain: if this were not to happen, RFId might hinder instead of favouring integration of the various processes [ ]. In Ref. [ ], finally, a possible application of RFId to the shopping context is suggested: by guiding consumers in their purchases, added value could be created for firms. Furthermore, numerous other interesting studies concern applications of RFId tags to the textile industry (e.g., see [ -]).

. RFId technologies for fighting against counterfeiting
In the twenty-first 'Whereas' of the Regulation, the EU legislator states that the textile industry is hit by the phenomenon of counterfeiting and that this raises problems in terms of consumer protection and information. The legislator encourages member states to devote particular attention to the enforcement of EU horizontal legislation and of measures concerning counterfeited products in the textile industry, such as Regulation (EU) No / concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No / . Technologies enabling contrast counterfeiting can be classified into four groups [ -]: (i) holograms and filigrees (manifest technologies), (ii) safety inks and invisible printing (hidden technologies), (iii) chemical tags and (iv) bar codes and RFId ('track-and-trace' technologies).
On the international scale, the proposal and analysis of RFId tags in order to fight against counterfeiting have been studied by many authors (e.g., see [ -]).

Fashion Industry
In Ref. [ ], it is suggested that consumers should use personal mobile devices (with RFId reader) in order to obtain information on products they are about to purchase and verify, in particular, their authenticity, while in Ref. [ ], it is proposed to integrate RFId tags through the innovative anti-counterfeiting 'TagPrint' system, using COTS RFID tags and readers. This system is characterised by low-cost and offline genuineness validation utilizing passive tags. These three purposes are achieved "by leveraging a few of federated tags' fingerprints and geometric relationships". In TagPrint, a new kind of fingerprint is utilised, called phase fingerprint, "extracted from the phase value of the backscattered signal, provided by the COTS RFID readers". To further solve the separation challenge, a geometric solution is developed to validate the genuineness. TagPrint, using COTS RFID devices, may increase the inviolability of RFId tags.
Concerning the textile industry, Ref.
[ ] presents a practical application of the RFId technology to the fashion sector of an Italian firm: it is argued that the implementation of this technology as to the two most imitated lines of production has enabled to limit the counterfeiting phenomenon and to improve logistics.
Still with a view to the textile industry, thanks to using RFId technology, Refs.
[ , ] propose a system called 'electronic-pedigree' (e-pedigree), which enables to verify single elements, identify missing objects and foresee the status of the products wherever they are located within the supply chain. In , an algorithm named 'tag data processing and synchronization-TDPS' was presented, which makes it possible to develop an e-pedigree [ ]. To date, the studies of these authors however still miss practical applications.
On top of eliminating sales of counterfeited goods, the application of RFId tags on items of clothing enables to hamper organised crime, by rapidly identifying and reacting to its illicit strategies, which are constantly evolving [ ].
Further interesting cases are mentioned in Refs [ , ].

. Methodology
With the purpose to achieve the aim of this research, the following hypothesis has been developed: H . In the fashion industry there is an increasing need to monitor the textile supply chain; in Italy, furthermore, it is necessary to protect the textile production against counterfeiting. Since RFId technologies are considered a strategic tool in many sectors ( for example, in traceability of food, animals, and people thanks to electronic passports), the Italian textile industry may be very interested in approaching them.
The research methodology was structured as follows: the first stage consisted in a review of existing literature, focused on RFId technologies in the textile sector for monitoring the supply chain and for fighting against counterfeiting; the second stage consisted in applying a qualitative case study methodology helping to explore this phenomenon within its context [ , ].
According to Ref. [ ], the choice of this methodology is justified by the need to answer 'how' and 'why' , as well as by the fact that authors cannot manipulate the behaviour of those involved in the study, and by the fact that the research focuses on a contemporary phenomenon [ ].
We feel that it would be impossible to gain a true picture of the chances for adopting an RFId technology in the fashion industry without considering the context in which it may be developed and used.
In fact, the relationship between RFId technology on the one side, and its implementation for monitoring the supply chain and avoiding counterfeiting on the other side, seems crucial to us.
The RFId Technology for Monitoring the Supply Chain and for Fighting against… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86344 We chose this case, Oscalito, because it is quite unique [ , , ]. Oscalito undoubtedly shows the above-mentioned characteristics, because it has been one of the first Italian firms to implement voluntary RFId labels.
According to Ref.
[ ], this essay uses a wide range of sources of information in order to develop and analyse the case study. In the interest of data triangulation, we observed directly, analysed company documents and made interviews.
Direct observation was conducted at the company premises in , so as to catch the reality and analyse events in real time: we enjoyed the opportunity to observe several meetings. We are conscious of the weaknesses of such observation: time-consuming; selectivity (might miss facts), reflexivity (observer's presence might cause change) and costs (observers need time)- [ , ].
On these occasions, we asked to be granted access to company documents in order to better understand the firm and to increase our knowledge about the enterprise, especially concerning the RFId label.
We had the opportunity to analyse memoranda, study reports, etc. The validity of these documents was carefully reviewed so as to avoid incorrect data being analysed. We spent almost a week collecting data emerging from this documentation. Further information was collected from the Oscalito website.
In order to capture different dimensions of the same phenomenon, we interviewed the managing director and other people in the company (semi-structured interview) so as to clarify some important topics [ , , ]. Each interview lasted for approximately hour and was conducted by both of us. With a view to reducing the subjectivity of data interpretation, on permission by the interviewee [ ], the interviews were recorded and later transcribed.
We autonomously analysed all data obtained by direct observation, company documentation and interviews, and we finally compared our individual interpretation of the results.
We did a triangulation of data sources (data triangulation) [ ].
According to the Ying categorisation of case studies, this is a 'descriptive' one: this type of case study is used to describe a 'phenomenon and the real-life context in which it occurred' [ , ].

. Case study: Oscalito
In order to better understand the practical applications smart labels can have in the textile industry, the CEO of Oscalito, Dr. Dario Casalini, was contacted and interviewed.
The Oscalito brand (acronym for Osvaldo Casalini Lino Torino) is produced by Maglificio Po, a textile company founded in Turin in by two brothers, Osvaldo and Lino Casalini. Initially, clothing lines of underwear and fashion knitwear for men, women and children were created, using high-quality natural fibres. Basically, tubular fabric (without stitching) was produced, using circular machines. Lino's sons, Arrigo and Andrea, later joined the firm, extending the product range to fashion clothes and gaining success even on foreign markets. Export became fundamental for the business (so fundamental that nowadays of the production is exported), and over the years, the women's fashion line acquired a central role in Oscalito's offer. In , Dario Casalini joined the firm; as third generation of the family, he gradually took the lead of the company, renewing the brand and making it grow on the international scale, but always in the sign of continuity. In fact, Oscalito has always kept the entire production chain in Turin: from yarn production to finished garment. It has been among the first firms in the textile industry to introduce RFId labels on individual items of clothing in order to ensure production chain traceability.

Since
, Oscalito has been using RFId tags, which allow to trace the entire chain: fabric weaving, finishing and cutting, tailoring, quality control and logistics. This makes absolute control on quality flaws possible and guarantees Made in Italy. Such instrument enables to enact the intent of the EU Legislator, who, at the twentieth "whereas" of the Regulation, with the aim to protect consumers, requests transparent and coherent commercial rules, also concerning indications of origin.
These indications, when available, should enable consumers to be fully informed on the origin of the products they purchase, so as to protect them from indications of origin which are fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading.
Oscalito's production chain is managed through an ERP which uses bar code technology in the first two processing phases [(i) fabric weaving and finishing; (ii) fabric and lace cutting], while during the further four phases [(iii) tailoring the completed garments; (iv) finishing the completed garments; (v) ironing and packaging; (vi) logistics and warehousing], the information contained in the bar code is poured out into the RFId tag and therefore individualised for every single piece of clothing.
The implementation of RFId technology in the above production phases took place, as mentioned, starting from May ; it foresees continuous printing of the cards with RFId tags even in case part of the production cycle is carried out by third parties (Figure ).
The RFId tag is applied following quality control which is made on every garment, and it enables to manage the phases of repair of items which are faulty but can be recuperated. Applying RFId tags allows to trace all production phases and operators which came in the finished garment in case it was returned, bringing to evidence any shortcoming or organizational problem in one of the production phases.
The implementation of RFId tags automatized all logistic functions, such as entrance into the warehouse with production notes and inventory functions by  reader after passing through the tunnel (Figure ) or by shelf reader scanner, as well as deliveries to customers.
Oscalito does not have an automatized warehouse; therefore, customer order preparation is done by manual shelf picking. RFId tags are fundamental in controlling picking accuracy: by printing the labels, first of all the true contents of every single box are brought into evidence, and then a further control of the complete order compared to the picking list (i.e., the customer's order) is carried out. Finally, packing lists for every single item and for the total delivery are printed (Figure ), as well as the documents needed by the forwarder.
The results obtained by Oscalito may be summarized as follows: • Complete traceability of the chain: from yarn to finished garment, in all production phases, with evidence of the operators who came in during the various processing steps With reference to countering counterfeiting, RFId system is ideal since each RFID tag generated has a -character alphanumeric code that is unique and not reproducible. It contains product production data that can be extracted via the ERP system that generated it and which is the only one that allows verification of the authenticity and originality of the product. The final consumer can verify the authenticity of the product by entering the -character alphanumeric code in a form made available by the manufacturer on its own mobile app or website.
The manufacturer can easily create his own mobile app or website where the final consumer can verify the authenticity of the product by entering the -character alphanumeric code of the RFID in a form made available by the manufacturer. By promoting this autonomous verification system by the final customer, a widespread control is carried out on the authenticity of the product without direct costs for the manufacturing company. As its future objective, Oscalito aims at extending RFId technology to all fabric weaving, finishing and cutting production phases and to warehouse management by customer, with pre-allocation of garments.

. Conclusions
The implementation of a production chain traceability system by RFId tags and their readers (printers for initializing cards with RFId tags; tunnels to read warehouse entries and exits; printers for labelling boxes when dispatching) implied an investment of about , . euros, increased by costs for the adaptation of the informatics management system and by current expenditure concerning periodical RFId tag purchase.
Many benefits were obtained: from production chain management with traceability of garments being repaired, to automatic management of the general warehouse and of consignment accounts with some customers, to management of commercial or defectiveness returns by customers and final consumers who purchase through Oscalito's e-commerce portal, on top of annulment of mistakes in the dispatching phase, eliminating claims on contents of the dispatched pieces, which used to concern about pieces a year. Finally, the implementation of the production chain traceability system by RFId tags has enabled to obtain important supply chain certifications, especially the Italian Identity certification issued by Italcheck.
Even if, according to Refs. [ , ], common criticisms of the case study method are that it lacks rigour and that the dependence on a single case exploration makes it difficult to reach a generalising conclusion, the authors believe that through the Oscalito case study, they have been able to describe their views on a relevant innovative reality.
We realise that this research has some limitations due to the applied methodology: we have adopted a qualitative method for a single case study; the findings of the study are based on the first results of prospected deeper research; and further interviews would be required in order to understand a general fashion industry perception of this kind of technology.
For this reason, we are planning to carry out further studies on the application of RFId in the fashion industry. .