August 7, 2024 SDEX 2.0: Enhanced version of outdoor industry sustainability data tool announced
The European Outdoor Group (EOG) and the Bundesverband der Deutschen Sportartikel-Industrie (BSI) announce update to initiative that aims to standardize and harmonize product sustainability data across the outdoor sector.
SDEX was introduced by the EOG and BSI in early 2023. The project addresses an existing problem relating to the exchange of sustainability data at product level between brand and retail. The widespread existing practice of using extensive spreadsheets and questionnaires for each product and for each trading partner, is very time-consuming for all parties involved, and involves many duplicated tasks. In response, project partners developed a harmonized SDEX questionnaire to facilitate data exchange. This was launched in July 2023 and has since seen a widespread uptake from the industry.
The use of SDEX by brands and retailers is rising, and several of the latter are now considering the option of making completion of specific sections of the questionnaire mandatory for brand suppliers. Meanwhile, global policy is moving towards a position whereby the supply and display of the data involved is already, or will soon be, required.
Working with the brands and retailers that are involved in the SDEX project, the EOG and BSI have undertaken another phase of development since January. The SDEX 2.0 questionnaire will incorporate the following changes:
- New attributes added to dropdown lists
- Chemicals lists updated
- Formatting of cells made easier, allowing more flexibility for submitting answers
- Filters added
- LCA data can now be included
- Footwear components amended.
Dr. Katy Stevens, EOG head of CSR and sustainability, comments:
“SDEX is already successful, and that’s thanks to the excellent level of engagement by the brands and retailers who are already involved. They all recognize the importance of this project, and why it is playing a crucial role in the outdoor industry’s work on sustainability. Working closely with our colleagues at the BSI, we have now made some significant improvements to the questionnaire that is at the heart of it.”
About the European Outdoor Group
The European Outdoor Group was founded in 2003 by 19 of the world’s largest outdoor companies, all of which recognized the need for a cohesive, cross border approach to representation of the outdoor sector. In a world of increasing internationalization, legislation, environment, the media and trade are all now multinational issues. The combined strength of the EOG’s 125 members provides the group with an extremely powerful force to represent the European outdoor industry in a constructive and positive manner.
Visit www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com for more information.
Photo: Unsplash / European Outdoor Group
