CCS Guidance for Tier 1 Vendors

A Practical Roadmap to Textile Exchange Certification

Certification is becoming a baseline expectation as global regulation tightens and brands face growing pressure to substantiate the sustainability claims they make about their products. Tier 1 factories sit at a critical point in that chain. When finished-product manufacturers achieve certification, they unlock real value for themselves and their brand partners, from full chain of custody to favorable product placement with retailers marketing sustainability attributes.

Yet the path to certification is often unclear, with unfamiliar documentation requirements, material handling procedures, and audit processes that can make getting started feel daunting. To address this, a coalition of OIA members, including Columbia Sportswear Company, The North Face, Patagonia, KEEN, Burton, L.L. Bean, Stanley, and FENIX Outdoor, formed a task force to help increase certification rates among Tier 1 factories.

The result is OIA’s Content Claim Standard Guidance for Tier 1 Vendors. Built from interviews with certified and non-certified suppliers, certification bodies, and Textile Exchange, the guide clarifies the full certification process for the OCS, GRS, RCS, RDS, RWS, RMS, RAS, and CCS standards. It covers:

  • Determining your certification scope, including standards, facilities, and processes
  • Finding a certification body and building management systems
  • Preparing for and completing your audit
  • Applying for and issuing scope and transaction certificates
  • Product-specific considerations for complex outdoor gear, footwear, and hard goods
  • Certification costs, claims eligibility, and additional resources

Whether you are exploring certification for the first time or refining an existing program, the guide is designed to make certification more attainable. It is available in English, Vietnamese, and Bengali.

ENGLISH VERSION
VIETNAMESE VERSION
BENGALI VERSION

Q1 2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report

What the Latest Numbers Reveal About a Cooling Market

Outdoor product sales in Athletic Specialty and Sporting Goods (ASSG) retail channels opened 2026 in a precarious position—and the signals are worth a close look. Dollar sales held nearly flat, declining less than 1%, but unit sales fell sharply, down 7.3% across every product category. At the same time, average retail prices climbed 6.7% year-over-year, outpacing the broader inflation rate of roughly 3.3%. With consumer sentiment at decade lows and middle- and lower-income households cutting back on discretionary spending, understanding which products are still moving and which are cooling fast has never been more important.
OIA’s Q1 2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report is now available. It covers category-level dollar and unit sales performance across ASSG retail, standout performers in equipment, accessories, and footwear, and the categories seeing the sharpest declines—from women’s basketball-inspired shoes to portable fire pits and insulated tumblers. Check out the Executive Summary for the key findings and market implications.

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ESPR Policy Brief

What the EU’s Ecodesign Regulation Means for Outdoor Brands

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a landmark EU framework that will reshape how textiles and apparel are designed, sold, and tracked—and the implications for the outdoor industry are significant. The regulation applies to any company placing covered products on the EU market, regardless of where it is based. Some compliance deadlines are already in effect, and others are approaching fast, which makes understanding what is required, and when, essential for any brand or retailer selling in Europe.

OIA’s sustainability team has prepared a new policy brief that gives outdoor companies a practical overview of what ESPR requires and how to prepare. It breaks down reporting obligations, ecodesign requirements for textiles, Digital Product Passport rules, and the steps your team can take now ahead of the Textile Delegated Act expected in late 2027. Whether your products are directly in scope or you sit further down the supply chain, understanding these changes is a must.

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2025 OIA Sustainability’s Impact Report

A Year of Collective Progress for the Outdoor Industry

2025 was a defining year for the outdoor industry—tested by unprecedented tariffs, economic pressure, and mounting compliance obligations, yet strengthened by collaboration. OIA Sustainability’s first-ever Impact Report captures the year in full, with more than 500 individuals from 118 companies driving collective progress across climate, chemistry, and compliance—from Climate Action Corps milestones and a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement supporting 18.5 megawatts of renewable energy to new Clean Chemistry guidebooks, expanded policy resources, and the launch of OIA Learning. Whether you’re shaping strategy, tracking progress, or building industry partnerships, this report shows what’s possible when the industry chooses collaboration over retreat.

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Guide to Comply

Stay Ahead of Sustainability Compliance

Keeping up with sustainability laws across the U.S. and Canada is becoming increasingly complex—and the cost of falling behind is rising. OIA’s updated 2026 Guide to Comply cuts through the noise with a 20+ page resource covering the specific regulations impacting the outdoor industry right now, from climate accountability and PFAS rules to Extended Producer Responsibility and green claims best practices. Whether you’re navigating new state-level emission mandates or refining your sustainability messaging, this guide gives your team the clarity needed to stay compliant.

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2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report

Outdoor Retail Is Holding Its Ground

Tariff-driven price increases tested consumer spending across the outdoor market last year, but the full picture is more nuanced. OIA’s 2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report breaks down what sold, what softened, and where the real opportunities lie across footwear, apparel, equipment, and specialty retail. Whether you’re a brand refining your pricing strategy or a retailer planning for the future, this report gives you the market intelligence to define your strategy. 

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OIA 2026 Camping Report

Casual Camping Is the Industry’s Next Big Opportunity

Camping is our industry’s most reliable gateway to broader outdoor recreation. OIA’s 2026 Camping Report reveals how an expanding base of casual campers is creating new opportunities across the outdoor economy, from first-time tent buyers to enthusiasts who go on to invest in hiking, fishing, and beyond. Whether you’re a brand looking to reach untapped demographics or a retailer planning for long-term growth, this report gives you the insights to plan smarter.

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OIA 2026 Hiking Report

The Hiking Boom Isn’t Slowing Down

Hiking has never been more popular—and the opportunity has never been bigger. OIA’s 2026 Hiking Report reveals how 63.4 million Americans are hitting the trails, with core hikers deepening their commitment and casual participants representing a powerful gateway into the broader outdoor industry. Whether you’re a brand building your next product line or a retailer looking to capture a growing market, this report gives you the data to make informed decisions.

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