The International Organization of Standardization has granted Grivel “14001 certification” for sustainable development. The Italian Mountaineering company is the first in its industry to be granted this certification and says it will implement a management system that will ensure continued compliance.
Principal, Gioachino Gibbi hopes Grivels example will encourage other companies to seek the ISO Certification. He said, “We follow the principles of environmental conservation, and (this) guarantees that we do so with concrete actions rather than simply with words.”
PrAna is also taking a step towards sustainable development by using organic cotton in their new clothing line. CEO Beaver Theodosakis said, “We can bring awareness to the younger consumers about the importance of the organic cotton movement.”
PrAna is joining Patagonia and MEC as the only 3 outdoor clothing manufacturers who use organic cotton. Patagonia converted their entire sportswear line to organic cotton in 1996, “regardless of the outcome.” According to The Company, the use of this material “supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystems… The move didn't compromise quality. Rather it improved the feel of our fabric.”
On top of these developments, InterSource LLC has just been launched as a new sourcing company for vendors interested in producing their goods with environmentally correct materials and processes. Jim Heidens, formerly of MontBell, Performance, and Nike has teamed up with Mike Costa, who has experience working with manufacturers in the Far East, Canada, United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.
