Brands pool resources to boost Material Facts toolkit
A group of outdoor brands forming the Material Facts Collective have launched a toolkit for product sustainability claims.
Based on Rab’s Material Facts methodology, the new toolkit has input from brands including Exped, Go Outdoors, Oberalp Group, Rab, Red Equipment and Tiso.
The working group has now published a formalised and unbranded sustainability data methodology, enables clear and standardised product data to be transparently shared with consumers and retailers and is ready to be adopted by other brands and retailers.
The methodology, initially launched in October 2023, enables standardised product data to be shared with consumers and retailers.
The first iteration includes recycled content, PFAS status, and country of manufacture. Future criteria proposals include material type, certifications, sources, repairability and durability.
Richard Leedham, CEO of Equip Outdoor Technologies, owner of Rab and Lowe Alpine, said: “When launching Material Facts back in 2023, we knew that we did not want to keep it to ourselves but share it with the industry. Together, as a network of leading brands, we can efficiently develop sustainability data in a clear and transparent way, that drives efficiencies, meets consumer and retailer needs, and prepares us all for the upcoming legislation. We now need the industry to take this to the next level and move it forward.”
The working group will meet later this year and review how the methodology can be further improved based on brands’ feedback.
Read more on the initiative through Sportstextiles’ interview with Equip's head of CSR, Debbie Read
