Equip rolls out new ‘material facts tables’ for Rab
Equip Outdoor Technologies, owner of UK outdoor brands Rab and Lowe Alpine, has assembled close to 500 of what it calls “material facts tables” for Rab’s autumn-winter 2023 clothing and sleeping bag ranges, offering product-level material breakdowns.
The sustainability tool will then be introduced to all Rab and Lowe Alpine packs, equipment and accessories ahead of spring-summer 2024.
Equip said others like industry body the European Outdoor Group had already voiced support for the programme. Each table delineates different components’ total recycled content in percentage terms, as well as the extent to which perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are present in various elements, for example, from durable water repellence (DWR) through to hydrophobic down, zips and trims.
Chief executive, Matt Gowar, added that Material Facts could likewise be implemented elsewhere, “as a non-branded, simple way to convey data to the end consumer”.
He commented: “Brands are competing to find unique and compelling ways of communicating the term ‘sustainability’. This doesn’t work, confuses the consumer, can be misleading and risks greenwashing. We are happy to share our work and methodology, so that we can work together to an agreed standard.
“We are happy to work with all industry partners, to show them how they can quickly and easily convey the information that consumers want, and we will shortly legally be required to report on.”
Image: Rab/Equip Outdoor Technologies.
