The Collective is an industry working group aiming to create a shared standard for product sustainability claims. With participation from leading brands across the UK, Europe, and the US, including Atomic, JD Outdoor and Ortovox, The Collective aims to publish a formalised and unbranded data methodology in 2025.

Originally launched in 2023, Equip developed its Material Facts tables as a methodology to provide consumers with a clear and simple standard for communicating sustainability credentials. Consumers can use the familiar-looking data to make their own, educated purchase choices based on their values.

The Material Facts Collective plans to take this to the next level. Bringing together industry partners, brands and retailers with different product categories and materials, allows the original Material Facts Methodology to be tested, and improved. This will result in a methodology that works for new categories, new data criteria and provides a scalable solution. The Collective has the first working session planned at the end of September.

Equip’s CEO Richard Leedham urges other partners to join them:

“With a network of leading brands from the industry who have already participated in our webinars, and nine brands and retailers already committed to the working group, we’re encouraging more industry partners to join us. Together we can efficiently develop sustainability data that consumers want, in a way that prepares us all for the upcoming legislation.”

Katy Stevens, Head of CSR and Sustainability at EOG adds:

“In an ideal world, comparable sustainability data flows automatically from brands to retailers, to customers and policymakers. Retailers and brands recognize the need for standardization. The Material Facts Collective provides a unique opportunity for brands to collaborate on developing that industry standard.”

At the upcoming European Outdoor Summit, Equip will be sharing more about The Material Facts Collective working group. In a discussion with Dr Katy Stevens from the EOG, Jon Frederick and Debbie Read from Equip will take to the stage at ‘The Future of Sustainability Data’ session on Thursday 19^th September.

More background information about The Material Facts Collective, and Equip’s and the EOG’s webinar series recordings can be found here.