British outdoor company Equip Outdoor Technologies (Equip), owner of Rab and Lowe Alpine, has announced the next stage in its Material Facts initiative, which is billed as.. ‘a pioneering open and honest CSR communication platform.’
Having developed almost 500 Material Facts tables for its AW23 Rab apparel and accessories ranges – with more ranges to be included in upcoming seasons – the company is now calling on other brands to take action.
As the company’s Material Facts tables start to roll out to consumers this summer, Equip’s CEO Matt Gowar is challenging the industry to work together to create an industry standard.
Gowar said “Brands are competing to find unique and compelling ways of communicating the term ‘sustainability’. This doesn’t work, confuses the consumer, can be misleading or risks greenwashing.
“We developed Material Facts as a non-branded simple way to convey data to the end consumer. We are happy to share our work and methodology so that we can as an industry work together to an agreed standard. This allows us all to concentrate on improvements in our own operations that will have a greater overall impact.
“We are happy to work with all industry partners to show them how they can quickly and easily convey the information that consumers want, and shortly we will be legally required to report on.”
The aim is to provide consumers with a clear and simple industry-wide standard for communicating sustainability credentials so that consumers can make their own, educated choices.
Equip created Material Facts to drive a focus on accuracy and transparency. By spring-summer 2024 all Rab and Lowe Alpine packs, equipment and accessories will have Material Facts tables.
According to the company… ‘Other brands and industry stakeholders, amongst others the European Outdoor Group, have already expressed their support in the development of Material Facts.’
Equip will seek to drive industry-wide engagement to improve Material Facts and to jointly create an industry standard that is a clear step forward in terms of aligned accurate, honest and transparent CSR communication.
At the upcoming OutDoor by ISPO trade show in Munich, Germany, Equip will be sharing more about Material Facts development and the next steps, emphasising the need for collaboration at the following sessions:
- Sunday, June 4, 11:00-11.30 CET: Rab & Lowe Alpine at Greenroom Voice Guided Tour, Sustainability Hub, Atrium 3.
- Monday, June 5, 14:00-14.30: Sustainability Report and Material Facts by Debbie Read and Tim Fish at Speakers Corner, Sustainability Hub, Atrium 3.
www.rab.equipment
www.equipuk.com
