--- title: Are Environmental Standards Coming for Rayon Sourcing? description: Are Environmental Standards Coming for Rayon Sourcing? image: https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Environmental%20standards.jpg --- [![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/compliancelogo.svg)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/) - Products Products - - [C2P](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-compliance-knowledge-management-platform/) - [Regulations Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/conquering-the-regulatory-avalanche/) - [Standards Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/standards/) - [Requirements Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/heres-the-regulation-whats-next/) - [Regulatory Topics](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/regulated-areas/) - [WFSGI Compliant Labelling Requirements Database](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/WFSGI/) - Services Services - [Market Access Service](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/grow-in-new-markets/) - [Regulatory Process Consulting](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/best-practices-in-compliance-processes/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/ehs-and-your-legal-registers/) - [Managed Services](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/solutions-for-every-day/) - [Training and Systems Implementation](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/training-and-systems-implementation/) - [Ask Our Experts](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/your-compliance-question) - Resources News & Resources - [Blog](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/news-resources?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [Commentary & Analysis](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/commentary-analysis?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [COVID-19](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Webinars](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/webinars/) - [White Papers & eBooks](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/whitepapers/) - [About](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) Compliance & Risks - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-requirements-industries/) - [History](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-and-risks-history/) - [Careers](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-risks-careers/) - [Knowledge Partners](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/knowledge-partners/) - [Partners & Affiliates](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/becoming-a-compliance-risks-partner/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) COVID-19 Regulatory Developments [Find Out More](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Book a demo](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/book-a-demo/) - [Eng](https://complianceandrisks.com) - [日本語](http://complianceandrisks.jp/) ![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/burger.svg) Search for: # Are Environmental Standards Coming for Rayon Sourcing? --- ##### 16 March 2017 ![Environmental standards.jpg](https://go.adherent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Environmental%20standards.jpg?width=280&height=186&name=Environmental%20standards.jpg)What do clothing brands such as Timberland, Ralph Lauren, H&M, Vans, Nautica, Stella McCartney, ASOS, Levis Strauss & Co., Wrangler, Lee and The North Face all have in common? All have implemented a form of responsible forest product purchasing policies. Most recently, apparel brand conglomerate VF Corporation adopted its Forest Derived Materials Policy which sets purchasing guidelines and commits the company and its suppliers to using sustainable forest materials and products. As part of its policy adoption, VF declared they will no longer make products derived from: *"Sources that contribute to the loss of ancient and endangered forests or rights taken from Indigenous people and local communities."* **Rayon: Other Cellulosic Fibers Targeted** Apparel makers have long relied upon cellulosic fibers such as rayon, lyocell, and modal used as a cheap replacement for more expensive and less readily available fibers such as silk. Rayon, in particular, is found in the product lines of most international apparel retailers. It is claimed that that as much as 65% of the pulped tree used to derive rayon is wasted during the production process. Rayon pulp sources include at-risk forests in Indonesia, the Amazon and Canada's west coast. Canada alone exported 426,000 tonnes of dissolving pulp valued at $361 million in 2016. **Conflict Minerals Legislation: a Model for Forestry-based Products?** There is a discernible trend towards adoption of voluntary sustainable forestry policies, either company specific or NGO-derived standards such as those of the Sustainable Forest Initiative or the Forest Stewardship Council. If a critical mass of apparel producers restrict their sourcing from endangered forest ecosystems, there may well be an industry push to enact legislative standards applicable to producers with a commercial connection (however defined) to one or more legislating countries. In looking for a model of extraterritorial responsible supply chain legislation, regulators may well seek to learn from the international legal experience around Conflict Minerals, both the (seemingly outgoing) U.S. SEC Conflict Minerals Rule or the incoming EU Conflict Minerals Regulation. With increasing pressure to preserve existing at-risk forests, an extraterritorial supply chain law governing rayon is arguably within sight. **Proceed with Caution in Making Sustainability Claims** Even when a company has buy-in from a respected NGO in creating its sustainability program, it must proceed with caution before making sustainability claims in advertising or marketing materials, especially in the U.S. Green product claims have been the target of litigation in the U.S., including terms such as “natural” or “sustainable.” The Federal Trade Commission updated its “Green Guides” to help companies avoid making misleading marketing claims. Even the FTC did not tackle the complexities of providing specific guidance as to what “sustainable” means. The source of complaints over environmental claims are usually not the FTC by way of enforcement or consumers through litigation. More often marketing is policed by competitors who cite to the Green Guides and demand that green claims be removed or revised. Companies must be able to substantiate all reasonable interpretations of any green marketing claims and should avoid making general, unqualified claims of a product’s environmental benefits. **If you would like to find out more about textiles regulations, why not sign up for a [free needs assessment and customized demo?](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/textiles-footwear/)** **[![toronto\_cocker\_jonathan\_04671\_cv](https://go.adherent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/toronto_cocker_jonathan_04671_cv.jpg?width=116&height=145&name=toronto_cocker_jonathan_04671_cv.jpg)](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/toronto_cocker_jonathan_04671_cv.jpg)*Author: ****Jonathan Cocker, Partner at [Baker & McKenzie](http://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/)* *Jonathan D. Cocker heads the Firm’s Environmental Practice Group in Canada and is an active member of firm Global Consumer Goods & Retail and Energy, Mining and Infrastructure groups.  Mr. Cocker provides advice and representation to multinational companies on a variety of environment, health and safety matters, including product content, dangerous goods transportation, GHS, regulated wastes, consumer product and food safety, extended producer responsibilities and contaminated lands matters. He appears before both EHS tribunals and civil courts across Canada.  Mr. Cocker is a frequent speaker and writer on EHS matters, an active participant on EHS issues in a number of national and international industry associations and the recent author of the  first edition of The Environment and Climate Change Law Review (Canada chapter) and the upcoming Encyclopedia of Environmental Law (Chemicals chapter).* ### Written by [Knowledge Partner](https://go.adherent.com/commentary-analysis-old/author/knowledge-partner) - - - - ## Featured Posts --- ![Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/icphso%202022%20(1).png) [Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/stacey-bowers-to-present-at-icphso-2022-annual-meeting-training-symposium) 26 January 2022 ![Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Regulating%20Explosive%20Atmospheres%20in%20the%20Workplace.png) [Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/regulating-explosive-atmospheres-in-the-workplace) 25 January 2022 ![What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Trending%20Jan%2022.png) [What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/whats-trending-in-compliance-jan-22) 24 January 2022 #### Ireland Office   Unit 9 Eastgate Avenue Eastgate Business Park Little Island Cork Ireland +353 (0)21 435 1990 [info@complianceandrisks.com](mailto:info@complianceandrisks.com) #### US Offices   New York 50 Fountain Plaza Suite 1400 Buffalo NY 14202 +1 716 939 1951   California P.O.Box 309 8712 Marysville Road Oregon House, CA 95962 – 0309 +1 530 216 4455 [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) #### Information - [Solutions](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-platform/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/industry-solutions/) - [News & Resources](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/resources/) - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about-us/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) - [About Us](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Get in touch](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) © 2021 Compliance and Risks Ltd. | [Privacy Policy](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/privacy-policy/)