BOULDER, Colo. — May 8, 2013 — The Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) Sustainability Working Group
(SWG) is launching a pilot program to test drive the Equipment module of the Higg Index, a new tool
to help companies gain insight into the supply chain for outdoor equipment (bicycles, skis,
snowboards, backpacks, tents, camp stoves, water bottles, etc.) and how to make more sustainable
products. OIA is offering a free webinar on May 16 to introduce the tool and get companies
involved.
Equipment manufacturers are encouraged to participate in the pilot, which is designed to
provide a testing ground for the tool and to gather feedback on how to make it better.
“This is the culmination of many years of work and collaboration among dozens of outdoor
industry companies,” said Beth Jensen, director of corporate responsibility for OIA. “This tool was
developed by and for the industry in order to help companies closely examine their supply chains
and identify tangible steps to improve the sustainability of their products. We hope a diverse
array of companies will participate in the pilot.”
The Equipment Index builds on Higg Index modules for Apparel and Footwear that have already
been launched to the industry. From the early days of the OIA Eco Index in 2007, the outdoor
industry wanted to ensure that its sustainability indexing tool was applicable to gear products as
well as to apparel and footwear. The Higg Index for Equipment will fulfill this purpose, providing
indicators tailored specifically to hardgoods while employing the same format as the other Higg
Index modules.
The Equipment Index Pilot launches May 16, with feedback due July 15.
To learn more about the Equipment Index Pilot, visit outdoorindustry.org/equipmentpilot
<http://www.outdoorindustry.org/equipmentpilot>
Posted on May 13, 2013
Source: Outdoor Industry Association
