Evaluation criteria

How far have companies gone in taking into account the constraints of sustainable development? It's with the aim of answering this question that mountain riders worked with a panel of experts, associations and industry representatives to set up a reference framework. Following this, Mountain riders proposed an evaluation based on 12 concrete criteria for the first edition of the Eco Guide to mountain gear. Within this reference framework 3 specific areas were targeted: Social, Environmental and Eco conception. Brand implication is then measured through concrete actions referring to these three specific areas. When the brand is awarded a logo, the logo is 'switched on' (large & in colour) on the website. When this logo is 'switched off' (small, black & white) this means the brand does not meet the set criteria.

L1 - Workplace wellbeing
The brand has established a CSR policy that applies to it's own employees' working conditions and work life balance. It holds ethical or social certifications, or has set up an equivalent process

L2 - Education & information
The brand has acknowledged the fact that ‘People just don’t know’. As such, communications relating to ethical trading, information on Fair trade standards, about the geographical origins of it's products, as well as production processes and the working conditions of those manufacturing it's products, etc. have been made available for your customers.

L3 - Supply chain
The brand works with suppliers and subcontractors that have been awarded social, ethical or fairtrade kitemarks, and/or implement health and safety policies within their factories

L4 - Corporate Social Responsibility
The company is aware of its role and influence in society. It is involved over and above its legal obligations; where it's competences have a real added value. It works with local stakeholders to identify the areas where local communities might be affected by it’s decisions and activities, and supports those in need or in difficult situations, through different mechanisms: grants, corporate philanthropy and company foundations.

L5 - Supporting local communities
The company is aware of its role in local communities, it has chosen not to relocate it’s production to low cost countries, and whenever possible, favours local subcontractors and suppliers.

L6 - Transparency & traceability
The company communicates on the sourcing of its products; the list of the brands suppliers is published. Product traceability information is also available.

 

L7 - Environmental site management
The company is aware of its environmental impact and concrete steps have been taken to reduce this is in its day-to-day operations. This environmental commitment translates into local and/or global actions.

L8 - Education & information
Information on sustainability is provided for customers: product lifetime and product footprint, tips on how to limit the impact of product use and information on the end of life of the product.

L9 - Supply Chain
The company is aware of its environmental impact and has decided to work with suppliers and subcontractors that have met the requirements of independent environmental standards. If these suppliers and contractors are not certified they have set-up equivalent environmental management systems. Suppliers and subcontractors are regularly audited.

L10 - Certifications
The company has set up a global process to control and reduce it's environmental impact. In certain cases this process is certified.

L11 - GHG emissions
A carbon footprint study has been carried out to identify and quantify the company's main sources of GHG emissions. Using the results of this study, concrete steps have been taken to reduce the company's carbon footprint.

L12 - Environmental commitments
The company is involved in civil society, over and above it's legal obligations. It supports environmental organisations and/or concrete actions through different mecanisms: grants, corporate philantropy and company foundations

 

L13 - Durability
The brands'products have a long lifecycle, characterised by an extended guarantee (2+ years for skis and boards, lifetime guarantees for clothing). The brand provides a repair service for it's products outside of the standard aftersales services or offers innovations allowing the equipment to last even longer

L14 - Global Eco design process
Company staff has access to tools and methodologies to measure the environmental impact of their products and they integrate this data into the design phase. The company has carried out a LCA for at least one of its products.

L15 - Eco Design Actions
Using the results of a LCA, the company has optimised it's porducts lifecycle. It has incorporated eco-friendly raw materials into it's products: recycled, renewable, hemp, linen, organic cotton, etc.

L16 - End of life & recycling
The company is working on finding a concrete end of life solution for it’s products or, it has set up a product recovery/recycling programme.

L17 - Non toxic
The raw materials used by the brand meet or exceed third party certifications, products are tested for the absence of harmful substances.

L18 - Packaging & logistics
The brand has significantly reduced it's packaging. It is also working the whole of it's logistics chain to reduce it's impact. A choice has been made to favour the more ecological modes of transport.

 

The definition of the evaluation criteria is the result of a continuous discussion with experts and industry representatives. The definition of the criteria takes place in the form of workshops every year between February and April.
If you have any comments or suggestions on one or several logos and their criteria, please feel free to get in touch with us: any input is welcome.

Contact :
ecoguide-materiel@mountain-riders.org