Participate in Benchmarking

We’ve created a common framework for companies to report their progress in materials sourcing.

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More than 320 companies voluntarily participate in our Materials Benchmark program, making it the largest peer-to-peer comparison initiative in the fashion and textile industry. As the need for global social and environmental action grows more urgent, and customer and stakeholder expectations rise, we’re working to identify common best practices and inspire action.

EXPLORE

Benchmarking companies get multiple benefits.

Report through our framework

Participating companies can use our common framework to report on their fiber and materials strategy and annual progress.

Share your results

Participants get a digital scorecard for communicating their results and engaging all internal and external stakeholders.

Receive a roadmap

Every participating company gets a roadmap to help build a more robust fiber and materials strategy.

Show leadership

Participants benefit from peer-to-peer performance tracking, participation in a learning community, and the chance to show leadership. Our benchmarking framework creates a focal point for sector alignment with the SDGs, as well as the wider move to a circular economy.

Align with others

Our benchmarking framework creates a focal point for sector alignment with the SDGs, as well as the wider move to a circular economy.

Contribute to Climate+

Every participant helps us to reach our Climate+ target of a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas from fiber and raw material production by 2030.

ABOUT

We’re helping to drive a race to the top.

Every year, we publish the results of our benchmark in our Material Change Index and analyze the insights in our annual report. Sharing this information publicly helps us drive a race to the top.

HOW IT WORKS

The benchmark cycle

The Materials Benchmark follows a cyclical and systematic approach to supporting companies at every stage of their journey.

Survey Submission (June-August)

Participant registration and completion of the survey

Validation (September-October)

Submission reviews

Analysis (November)

Results preparation

Bench learning (year-round)

Peer learning, workshops, community hub discussions

Review (January-March)

Stakeholder consultation and program upgrades

Reporting (December)

Company scorecards and industry insights

FAQs

Find the answers to common questions about benchmarking.

If you have a question not answered here, get in touch with us directly, and we’ll be happy to answer it for you.

Who is eligible to participate?

All brands, retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers of textile products are eligible to participate in the MCI. In fact, the more companies taking part, the more meaningful the results for all involved.

How much does it cost to take part?

It’s free. The priority is to grow participation rates by making the Materials Benchmark accessible for all. However, as the program continues to grow, we’re looking for partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program and the resources required to deliver a high-quality benchmarking product.

Can you tell me more about the feedback our company will receive?

All participants receive customized and confidential company scorecards. Company scorecards offer a useful tool for each participating company to share with important internal and external stakeholders, including the investment community.

Which indices will our company be eligible for?

The benchmark framework provides a holistic approach to fiber and materials reporting. Companies submitting a full survey response are eligible to be recognized in the MCI’s overarching Material Change Leaderboard, including Material Circularity Index, and Material SDG Index, as well as placements for each Materials module completed. Companies completing one or more Materials modules receive index placements for each module completed.

Why is there a whole section dedicated to circularity?

Circularity is playing an ever-greater role in reducing the industry’s dependence on natural resources. In addition, textile waste is increasingly serving as a feedstock to displace some of the virgin materials the industry currently relies upon.

Why are the Sustainability Development Goals such a big part of the benchmark?

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are an overarching set of goals that can connect the fashion and textile industry to the world’s most important agenda. The SDGs cover environmental, social and economic themes that will be critical to the health and prosperity of people and planet – and the long-term viability of business.

Why is biodiversity an essential part of the benchmark?

Our Climate+ strategy recognizes that climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably linked and are best considered within an integrated strategy. Our strategic intent over the next 10 years is to be a driving force for urgent climate action in textile fiber and materials production.

learn more

We’re helping brands establish best practices for fiber and materials strategies.

Boost your benchmark score by following our best practices for each section of the survey.

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Get Involved

We’re helping brands establish best practices for fiber and materials strategies.

Companies with a strong strategy take a systematic approach to climate action.