From OIA:
The Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) Sustainability Working Group (SWG) has launched a pilot program to help companies identify and reduce the environmental impacts of their products. The Chemicals Management Framework is a groundbreaking roadmap for companies to analyze their chemical management processes and guide them toward improvement.
Any company may participate in the pilot, which is designed to provide a testing ground for the Chemicals Management Framework and to gather feedback on how to make it better.
“This is the culmination of many years of work and collaboration among dozens of outdoor industry companies,” said Beth Jensen, director of corporate responsibility for OIA. “This tool was developed by and for the industry that will help companies closely examine chemical use in their supply chains and identify tangible steps to make improvements. We hope a diverse array of companies will participate in the pilot.”
The Chemicals Management Framework provides a shared strategic guide for companies in the outdoor and fashion industries — and beyond — to better manage the chemicals they use to create products. The Chemicals Management Framework indicators will be integrated into the Higg Index, the tool that OIA developed in partnership with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), to bolster the chemicals management portion of the Index.
The Chemicals Management Framework Pilot launches today, with feedback due June 1.
To learn more about the Chemicals Management Framework Pilot and to get involved, visit outdoorindustry.org/cmpilot.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, go to outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
About the Outdoor Industry Association Sustainability Working Group
The Outdoor Industry Association Sustainability Working Group (OIA SWG) is a volunteer collaboration among more than 250 outdoor industry brands, retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders working to identify and improve the environmental and social impacts of their shared global supply chains. The OIA SWG is currently focusing on four key areas: 1) index development for apparel, footwear and equipment, 2) responsible chemicals management, 3) materials traceability throughout the supply chain, and 4) social responsibility and fair labor issues. Through the OIA SWG, the outdoor industry is demonstrating that it is possible to effect meaningful, scalable change through pre-competitive, business-driven collaboration. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org/sustainability.
