New platform helps sporting goods companies implement CSR standards

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) recently open up its Responsible Sport Initiative (RSI), a platform that helps sporting goods companies to efficiently implement unified corporate and social responsibility (CSR) standards.

Launched last year at the initiative of bicycle companies in the WFSGI, companies from other sectors of the sporting goods industry can now take part in the RSI. “We see huge potential for sports companies to work together, to sustainably promote and monitor corporate and social responsibility standards throughout the industry,” says Marc Magnus, trade and corporate responsibility manager at the WFSGI.

The RSI functions with a system of audit-sharing that makes it more practical and affordable for companies to thoroughly check the compliance of their suppliers. The audits are conducted by independent, third-party audit service providers approved by the RSI, working with standards that are aligned with the WFSGI Code of Conduct. Participants may administer their audits on the RSI platform, or commission the WFSGI to take care of the administration.

RSI requests participants to compile a list of their planned audits twice per year. It then conducts an overlap assessment and provides the participants with a list of their factories where other companies are considering audits. This allows the participants to re-evaluate their audit list, in order to take more advantage of shared initiatives.

“The entire system helps companies to save money and human resources, and to reduce audit-fatigue among their suppliers,” said Erik van der Hout, Chair of the RSI Steering Committee and CSR Manager of the Accell Group. “For smaller companies that may not have their own corporate and social responsibility standards and teams in place, it may also help them to gain traction in this area.”

Participation does not require WFSGI membership and is open to any interested party.

About the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI)
The Swiss based WFSGI was founded in 1978 and plays a strategic role in the support and promotion of the sporting goods industry worldwide. It is also the world authoritative body for the sports industry officially recognised by the IOC as the industry representative within the Olympic Family. The WFSGI is an independent, non-profit and non-governmental association formed by sports brands, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, national federations and other sporting goods industry related businesses. Members include brands like Adidas, Anta Sports, Columbia Sportswear, Nike, Puma and Under Amour. WFSGI President is Robbert De Kock; Chairman of the Board is Sean O'Hollaren, Senior Vice President at Nike.

Learn more about WFSGI here.

Read the full WFSGI press release here.