As we have been reporting here over the last few weeks on Source4Style, there are new and exciting developments on an environmental assessment tool called the Eco Index, which is uniquely positioned to be the environmental assessment standard in the industry. Source4Style is one of 100 members of the Outdoor Industry’s Association’s (OIA) and European Outdoor Group’s Eco Working Group preparing the tool.

The Eco Index launched about two weeks ago in beta – “beta” being the operative word right now, since it is still in development but currently open for testing. We’ll be taking some products through the Eco Index in the next few weeks to give our own feedback and have already started incorporating the questions in our Source4Style Supplier’s Questionnaire, so that everyone sourcing on our site can help lead the industry towards a common language when it comes to environmental impact and efficiency.

We spoke with other Eco Working Group members in support of the Eco Index as to why this tool is different from the rest. View the 12-minute and 4-minute version below and stay tuned for New York-based workshops of the Eco Index coming up in the next couple months via OIA and Source4Style.com.