ARIZONA, USA, – November 13th, 2012 –

The Sustainability Consortium, a global multi-stakeholder organization developing science-based tools that advance the measurement and reporting of consumer product sustainability, is pleased to announce the launch of the Clothing, Footwear, and Textiles Sector (CFT).

The Consortium will launch work in this new sector on February 12th and 13th at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. The CFT Sector joins The Consortium’s six other sectors and focus areas: Electronics, Toys, Food, Beverage, and Agriculture, Home and Personal Care, Paper, Pulp, and Forestry and Packaging. By focusing on industry sectors, The Consortium jointly with our members, is developing the Sustainability Measurement and Reporting System (SMRS). The SMRS, is being used to measure and report product sustainability across the consumer goods industry.

“Establishing sound science and business based sustainability assessment and measurement tools for all companies in the textile supply chain complex is of major importance,”

said Dr. W. Gilbert O’Neal, Assistant Dean for Sustainability and Research Development at North Carolina State University, an academic partner with The Consortium, who will participate in the launch and sector work.

The participants in the launch of the Clothing, Footwear, and Textiles Sector Working Group will work collaboratively to build a consistent, practical and science-based approach to sustainability assessment and information reporting that provides a foundation for fair competition, recognizes innovation, improves data quality and availability and ultimately improves the environmental, social and economic performances of the clothing, footwear, and textiles value chain. “The Consortium is extremely excited about the launch of the CFT Sector,” said Dr. Sarah Lewis. Dr. Lewis, based in The Consortium’s Arkansas office, will head the CFT working group for The Consortium. “Our inaugural meeting in February will allow us to make decisions around product categories including, but not limited to, nylon, polyester, rayon and cotton clothing, as well as interact with crucial stakeholders in the industry.”

“The mission of the Clothing, Footwear, and Textile Working Group is vital to the long-term success of the industry and can dramatically influence the application of consistent and meaningful international sustainability practices,”

said Dr. Blanton Godfrey, Dean of the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University.

The launch of this sector quickly follows the expansion of The Sustainability Consortium in China. This expansion into Asia will allow TSC to provide tools that facilitate the measuring, reporting, and progress in improving social and environmental issues for the sector in China; while simultaneously working with many global brands who source and manufacture clothing and footwear in the region.

The Sustainability Consortium’s Clothing, Footwear, and Textiles Sector Inaugural Meeting is open to all members and invited guests. For more information on membership with The Sustainability Consortium, please contact Greg Lewis.

For more information visit the Clothing, Footwear, and Textiles Sector page on our website!

 



About The Sustainability Consortium

The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) is an independent organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. TSC develops transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives. The Sustainability Consortium advocates for a credible, scalable, and transparent process and system. The organization boasts over 90 members from all corners of business employing over 57 million people and whose combined revenues total over $1.5 Trillion. Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas jointly administer The Sustainability Consortium, with additional operations at Wageningen University in The Netherlands.  Learn more at www.sustainabilityconsortium.org.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Kessler, Marketing Coordinator
The Sustainability Consortium
Arizona State University
Elizabeth.Kessler.1@asu.edu | 480.965.3810