The hard Goods Winter Sports Equipment industry announces the first commonframework for assessing the environmental footprint of its products, compliantwith the Product Environmental Footprint methodological framework (PEF)

The hardGoods winter sports equipment industry is proud to announce a major milestonein its collective approach to sustainable development: the finalization of the first common framework for assessing the environmental footprint of itsproducts, compliant with the European Commission (EC) methodological framework(PEF), defined as the reference framework for environmental footprinting in theEcodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR).

Thanks to this now-established standard, the entire winter sports equipment value chain has a robust, scientifically based, and PEF-compliant frameworkfor measuring the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle. This advancement allows companies of all sizes not only to consistently assessand compare the impacts of their products, but also, and most importantly, to identify concrete and effective ways to reduce them.

This methodological framework, developed through a voluntary collective approach by representative stakeholders in a unique industrial sector, is among the very first private initiatives designed from the outset to be recognized by the European Commission within the framework of developing sector-specific frameworks applying the PEF method. As such, it positions the winter sports industry, and more broadly the outdoor activities industry, at the forefront of environmental footprinting and the European regulatory landscape.

Unprecedented collective mobilization and commitment to sustainable development in the hard Goods WinterSports Equipment industry

This achievement is the result of exceptional mobilization, cooperation, and long-term commitment from the entire sector. Many leading companies in the winter sports equipment industry collaborated closely within a Technical Secretariat (TS) responsible for overseeing the development of this standard, demonstrating that significant environmental progress can only be achieved collectively.

This Technical Secretariat brought together representatives from across the industry, including:

Atomic, Decathlon, Dynafit, Elan, Fischer Sports, Head, Petzl, the Rossignol Group (Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange, Look), Salomon, and the Tecnica Group (Blizzard-Tecnica, Nordica).

Glimpact in its capacity as an expert in LCA and the PEF methodological framework, led the technical development of this standard, with 2B Policy coordinating the project as chair and Salomon as co-chair.

This strong and sustained commitment from the industry demonstrates a shared conviction: environmental challenges transcend competition and demand common solutions at the sector level. The winter sports sector is sending a clear message: it is ready to take responsibility and act.

A rigorous, robust, applicable, and deployable methodological framework across the entire value chain

Thesector-specific framework (known as WSE PEFCR) applies the PEF Life CycleAssessment (LCA) methodology developed by the EC, incorporating all itsrequirements. It allows for the quantification, monitoring, understanding, andcomparison of the environmental impacts of a specific range of winter sportsequipment (including ski and snowboard boots, skis and snowboards, and helmets)– throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw materials and manufacturingto use, repair, and end-of-life.

• Intensive collaborative work spanning 18 months to develop rules specific to the winter sports industry by applying the PEF methodology since 2023
• A screening phase covering the entire supply chain in close consultation with stakeholders
• Two public consultations to gather feedback from external stakeholders and give them the opportunity to contribute to the collaborative work, with over 500 comments processed
• A critical review conducted by an independent thirdparty recognized as an expert by the EC
• Integration of new approaches, including repairability, to better reflect product durability and the impacts of different phases of use
• A framework whose conformity to the European PEF framework has been established by the independent third party, paving the way for official recognition of the standard by the European Commission as soon as this pathway is published

• Evaluating, analyzing, and reducing the environmental impacts of different product categories in the winter sports equipment industry.
• Adopting more sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, and product designs.
• Facilitating informed decision-making for consumers, retailers, and manufacturers through transparent and accessible environmental information.
• Collaborating with stakeholders, including policymakers, environmental organizations, and industry partners, within a common and recognized European methodological framework.
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