REI Co-op Releases Updated Product Impact Standards
Elevated emissions requirements, PFAS regulations and inclusivity make their way into the retailer’s standards for brand partners
Image: REI
Outdoor retailer REI Co-op recently released its third iteration of their Product Impact Standards, which outline guidelines for their brand partners that measure their impact in three areas: fighting climate change, advancing inclusion in the outdoors and managing chemicals.
“The standards keep the co-op and over 1,000 of our brand partners accountable as we address the issues that are most important to our community,” said Chris Speyer, VP of Product. “The products we carry represent our greatest opportunities to support better ways of doing business. We want our members and customers to know the products they purchase at REI are helping to build a better retail industry.”
Some of the new or updated guidelines that appear in the 2023 REI Co-op Product Impact Standards include:
An expectation for each brand partner to measure annual greenhouse gas emissions, set a reduction target and implement an action plan for reducing emissions. REI Co-op has committed via Science Based Targets Initiative to require brand partners representing 55% of their annual sales volume to set science-aligned emissions reduction targets.
A requirement that cookware and textiles to be free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS (apparel, footwear, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents were already required to be long chain PFAS free and BPAs and Flame Retardant chemicals had been banned in earlier versions of the standards).
A requirement that partners have creative controls in place to prevent cultural appropriation.
Inclusive guidelines for marketing assets, sizing and hair products.
The update of the REI Co-op’s Product Impact Standards come at a time of increasing external pressure. Toxic Free Future has been calling on REI to eliminate PFAS from their store since September 2021 and states are beginning to pass legislation that ban PFAS.
