Photo: REI
REI has introduced rigorous product sustainability standards that apply to each of the more than 1,000 brands sold at the co-op.
Addressing key environmental, social and animal welfare impacts, the standards stand out because they apply to most vendors and will eventually be mandatory.
Some of the requirements, such as establishing a code of conduct for supply chains, take effect immediately, while others need to be implemented by fall 2020. For example, by 2020, REI will no longer carry any sunscreens or sun-protection products made with oxybenzone, a chemical known to exacerbate bleaching in coral reefs.
Other requirements include restrictions on certain chemicals, including banning flame-retardant chemicals for tents, as well as ensuring wool or down products only come from humanely treated sheep and geese. REI includes a list of “preferred” attributes, such as earning bluesign, fair trade and Leather Working Group certifications.
Shaped by input from dozens of vendors of various sizes and across categories, REI in a statement said the standards are “feasible, address the most relevant topics and reflect best practices.”
REI will also list its preferred sustainability attributes for shoppers. Browsers on REI.com can shop by sustainability attribute, by searching for terms like “organic cotton” or “fair trade.” The retailer will highlight attributes with in-store signage and train associates to explain certifications.
Having certifications promoted to consumers is expected to further motivate vendors to invest in sustainability goals.
With Millennials and other younger generations looking to purchase from socially-conscious brands, REI’s reputation should receive a boost. But the standard will be available to other retailers to use and REI hopes others will follow.
Said Adam Siegel, SVP of research, innovation and sustainability for the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), in the statement. “By going so broad with requirements for their suppliers and approaching this with such a spirit of collaboration, REI has not only moved their own operations forward, but they’ve raised the bar for the entire industry.”
Among the challenges, compliance may raise costs for vendors and that may affect smaller ones in particular. Making sure brands abide by the rules may be difficult as many work with sub-contractors overseas.
- REI Co-op introduces new standards to raise bar on sustainability across outdoor and retail industries – REI
- REI Product Sustainability Standards – REI
- Do you want to sell your products at REI? Then be kind to the planet – USA Today
- REI rolls out rigorous new sustainability standards for suppliers – The Seattle Times
- REI’s stringent new checklist to ensure every product it carries is sustainable – Quartz