BOULDER, Colo. — [Aug. 6, 2026] — The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the launch of the CCS Guidance for Tier 1 Vendors, a new multilingual resource designed to help finished goods manufacturers navigate the path to Textile Exchange certification. The guide is available in English, Vietnamese, and Bengali to reach suppliers across a significant portion of the global manufacturing base of the outdoor industry.

Certification has become an increasingly important way for brands to verify and communicate product sustainability claims, giving consumers, brands, and retailers the transparency and accountability they demand. Yet while Tier 2 suppliers — the mills and material manufacturers further up the supply chain — often hold certifications, Tier 1 factories, which produce finished goods, are certified far less frequently. That gap limits the ability of brands to substantiate sustainability claims on the products consumers actually buy.

“When Tier 1 factories achieve certification, they unlock significant value for themselves and their brand partners,” said Julie Brown, Sr. Director Industry Engagement and Impact at OIA. “A full chain of custody allows brands to make credible product sustainability claims, and in some cases helps suppliers earn favorable product placement from retailers seeking to market sustainability attributes. This guidance was built to make that outcome attainable for more suppliers.”

Addressing a Key Barrier in the Supply Chain

Despite the benefits, the certification process has historically been unclear and, at times, daunting for suppliers new to the standard. Documentation requirements, unfamiliar material handling procedures, and complex audit processes have made certification difficult to navigate — particularly for factories without dedicated traceability resources.

To address this, a committed group of OIA members — including Columbia Sportswear Company, The North Face, Patagonia, Keen, Burton, L.L. Bean, Stanley, and FENIX Outdoor — formed the CCS Guidance Task Force in January 2025. Over the following year, the task force:

• Interviewed 13 certified and non-certified suppliers around the globe
• Interviewed seven certification bodies
• Held an in-person feedback session at the 2025 Textile Exchange Conference
• Ran a consultation feedback period with brands outside the outdoor industry
• Incorporated a full review of the guide by Textile Exchange

The result is a step-by-step resource covering everything from determining certification scope and building internal management systems, to preparing for audits and applying for transaction certificates — along with product-specific guidance for the technical materials common in outdoor gear, such as laminated and coated fabrics.

“Communicating our sustainability efforts to our customers is important,” said Carol Shu, Co-Chair, Sr. Manager of Global Sustainability at The North Face. “To do that, it’s critical that that communication is accurate, clear, and can be supported with data. Certification to Textile Exchange’s standards provides confidence that our products meet our sustainable materials requirements.”

“Certification can be an intimidating process,” said Ellen Johnson, Co-Chair, Sustainability and Innovation Manager at Columbia Sportswear. “We created this guidance to make the path clearer and more accessible for Tier 1 manufacturers. It’s designed so suppliers can put it into practice immediately.”

Built for a Global Supply Chain

Recognizing that Tier 1 manufacturing is concentrated in regions where English may not be the primary working language, OIA is releasing the guidance in English, Vietnamese, and Bengali — removing a practical language barrier.

The guidance covers standards owned and administered by Textile Exchange, including the  Organic Content Standard (OCS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), and Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS). As suppliers transition to Materials Matter Standard (Textile Exchange’s new standard) the guidance will still be relevant since it focuses on the chain of custody requirements in the CCS.

Call to Action

OIA encourages brands to share the guidance with their Tier 1 partners and support them in beginning the certification process. Suppliers are invited to download and use the resource. Content Claim Standard Guidance for Tier 1 Vendors is available now at https://outdoorindustry.org/article/ccs-guidance-for-tier-1-vendors/

About Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.