Animal welfare organisations are praising outdoor firms and when it comes to social standards, the industry is meeting the strictest multi-stakeholder demands, organisers of the OutDoor trade show report.

During OutDoor 2016, the leading industry trade show, which will take place in Friedrichshafen from 13-16 July, these issues will continue to be high on the agenda.

Sustainability

“The impetus provided by campaigns from different interest groups might have been on occasion painful, but the outdoor industry has faced up to the criticism and ultimately shown that high social standards, fair production, animal welfare and sustainability are all possible,” organisers explain.

“There is no excuse not to be addressing these issues. This is something that will be abundantly clear at the OutDoor, both at the booths and in the conferences and presentations, where the industry will be further discussing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).”

Ensuring transparency

A variety of outdoor industry brands, including Deuter, Dynafit, Haglöfs, Jack Wolfskin, Maier Sports, Mammut, Mountain Equipment, Ortovox, Salewa, Schöffel, Sprayway and Vaude, are allies, when it comes to supply chain responsibility and good working conditions and labour standards.

They are all members of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) – a multi-stakeholder organisation that promotes, improves and audits rigorous social standards. In addition, the brands Adidas, Fjällräven, Kathmandu, Patagonia and Prana are members of the American equivalent – the Fair Labor Association.

“Overseeing the whole supply chain and ensuring transparency – from raw materials to finished product – is one of our biggest and most important challenges. This is a project which is never finished, instead it’s an ongoing process, which we continue to monitor and optimise,” said Christiane Dolva, CSR Manager Fjällräven.

Raising social standards

CSR and raising social standards is an issue which is not straightforward, however, the outdoor industry is calling for greater commitment from others.

“As a FWF member, we are in a position to be able to press ahead with new CSR projects. But it is also very important for the right political decisions to be taken to ensure long-term living wages around the world,” explained Melanie Kuntnawitz Head of Vendor Control Jack Wolfskin.

Vaude has a similar opinion, with Hilke Patzwall, CSR Manager, calling for “stronger, binding measures from policy makers.” The outdoor industry feels that fair production should be the norm, as “functional and fair are by no means a contradiction in terms,” according to Herbert Horelt, Country Manager Germany, Haglöfs.

Animal welfare

The outdoor industry is also leading the way on animal welfare. “Down is indispensable for making lightweight and warm functional jackets. However, down with live-plucking and force feeding is unacceptable – and the welfare of birds should be respected,” say organisers.

Mountain Equipment has been setting an example for transparency with its Down Codex from the International Down and Feather Laboratory (IDFL). The same applies to Fjällräven with its Down Promise.

Schöffel has signed up to the Cruelty Free Down Challenge organised by international animal welfare organisation Four Paws. The outdoor industry was also the driving force behind setting up the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) with Allied Feather & Down and Textile Exchange two years ago, to make it easier to procure certified down.

Responsible Wool Standard

OutDoor 2016 will see the launch of the new Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) – an equivalent standard for wool. Working together with Textile Exchange, the RWS aims to promote international standards for animal welfare, farming and pasture management, to ensure maximum transparency in the supply chain.

For years now, the leading brands Icebreaker and Smartwool have been using ZQ-certified merino wool. The new Responsible Wool Standard will make it possible for others to adhere to similarly high animal welfare standards.

Further reading

Textile Exchange announces release of Responsible Wool Standard

www.outdoor-show.com