The Eco Index, the outdoor industry’s collaboratively-developed environmental impact assessment framework for apparel, footwear and gear, will be tested by companies worldwide as a leading tool for the benchmarking and measurement of product sustainability.
The North American launch of the Phase 1 Beta Eco Index took place at last week’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, Utah. Three Eco Index workshops at the show drew over 300 attendees, providing examples and instruction to brands and suppliers interested in learning more about the Eco Index and pilot testing it within their own companies.
The Eco Index was previously launched to the European market in mid-July at the OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where companies are also undergoing pilot testing of the Index. The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) has organized an Eco Index pilot program for its members, launching in September in Munich, Germany. WFSGI members set to be involved in the pilot test include ASICS, adidas, New Balance, Switcher and Odlo.
Brands and suppliers from around the world are invited to participate in the pilot program in an effort to ensure global usability and a common approach to product sustainability. A series of webinars will begin in mid-September to guide pilot program participants through the process. Collaboration and feedback will also be welcomed via online forums. The beta Eco Index website, ecoindexbeta.org, will provide easy access to the webinar schedule and collaboration forums as well as all necessary Eco Index reference materials and tools.
The pilot program is scheduled to run September through December of this year, but may be extended as needed to allow ample time for testing and feedback. Please contact Beth Jensen, Corporate Responsibility Manager, OIA for more information or to participate in the Eco Index pilot program.
The recent workshops marked a critical milestone for the Eco Index project, which has been supported by thousands of hours of volunteer labor and $600,000 in donations to date. The launch of the Phase 1 Beta Eco Index has recently received coverage by several media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and GreenBiz.com. More press can be viewed in the “News and Media” section of the Beta Eco Index website.
