Textile Exchange has updated its definition of "preferred" as a means to strengthen its criteria for what is needed to meet the target of a 45% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
- The non-profit has been using the term “preferred” since 2010 to categorise fibres and materials associated with improved environmental or social outcomes, helping to set them apart from conventional options.
- The developed definition will also be applied to other industry tools developed and led by Textile Exchange such as the Preferred Fibre and Materials Matrix, the 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, and the 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge.
The Changes: The goal was to address the ambiguity around what counts as a sustainable or responsible material, and in doing so, Textile Exchange provided the industry with guidance to step up its sustainability commitments.
- Old Definition: A fibre or raw material which results in improved environmental and/or social sustainability outcomes and impacts compared to conventional production.
New Definition: A fibre or raw material that delivers consistently reduced impacts and increased benefits for climate, nature, and people against the conventional equivalent, through a holistic approach to transforming production systems.
The proposed new definition echoes the UNEP Ecosystem Restoration narrative, removing the “and/or” approach from the current one.
Key Principles and Desired Outcomes: Textile Exchange has listed a number of principles which lay out a framework for the long-term transformation of fibre and raw material production systems:
- Natural ecosystems and species are protected and restored.
- Agricultural systems and soils are regenerated.
- No virgin fossil-based resources are used as feedstocks.
- Material production transitions from fossil-based energy sources to renewable energy.
- No natural ecosystems are converted or deforested.
- Water resources are responsibly managed in line with contextual limits.
- Chemicals of concern and other pollutants are properly managed and eliminated from environmental discharges and runoff.
- Animals are managed in accordance with the Five Provisions of animal welfare.
- Human rights are universally respected.
- Farmers, herders, raw materials producers, and processors are empowered to build more equitable fibre systems.
- Finite resources are safeguarded for future generations.
- Production mitigates and builds resilience to climate change.
- Supply chains are transparent and accountable.
