Merino outdoor clothing manufacturer Icebreaker is introducing Baacode, a traceability system that will enable customers to follow their garments through every step of the production process.
Customers can trace every step of the fabrics production, beginning at the farm and extending throughout the entire supply chain.
“Environmental damage and unethical manufacturing standards in the apparel industry are often caused by manufacturers buying fabric without taking responsibility for how that fabric was produced,” stated the company. “Rather than buying from a middle man, Icebreaker takes responsibility for the entire life-cycle of its garments.”
Icebreaker sources its merino fiber directly from high country New Zealand farmers, all of whom must comply with stringent guidelines on animal health and welfare, long-term respect for the environment, and fiber quality.
Icebreaker CEO Jeremy Moon claims sustainability has been a non-negotiable part of the company’s core philosophy since it was founded in 1994. “For Icebreaker, it’s not just about where it’s made-it’s about how it’s made,” says Moon.
From August 2008, Icebreaker garments will have an internal label bearing a unique Baacode number. A swingtag will tell customers how to enter their individual Baacode on the Icebreaker website and trace the merino fiber in their garment through to the sheep stations where it was grown.
Customers will see the living conditions of the sheep, meet the high country farmers who run the sheep stations, and follow the production process that turns premium merino fiber into Icebreaker’s exceptional, performance-driven garments.
“For us, sustainability is about transparency and being able to show the whole design for the business, which starts with the growers and continues through every step of the supply chain,” says Moon.
“We made the decision to put this information online to give consumers a clear understanding of Icebreaker, and of our deep and ongoing commitment to the environment and to social ethics.”
