FRENCH BRAND OXBOW NOW B CORP CERTIFIED!

Since its takeover in 2020 by Emmanuel Debruères and Jean-Christophe Chetail, OXBOW has worked steadily to become a more responsible player, placing environmental and societal issues at the heart of its corporate strategy.

Founded in 1985, the French brand is one of the legendary names that have always encouraged and supported surfers and riders - pros and amateurs alike - to thrive in their favorite natural playgrounds such as the ocean and the mountains. It had become a priority for the brand to continue its heritage, but by proposing a more transparent, sustainable and ethical offering, and through concrete actions to respond to the many current environmental and human issues for a more responsible industry of tomorrow.

"Let's strive to be the best for the world, not the best in the world!

Thanks to the commitment of all our teams, and after several years of research, efforts, successes and also failures, the brand is proud to announce, this Wednesday, September 6, 2023, that it is now B Corp certified and thus join this movement of companies with a positive societal and environmental impact, a global movement in favor of a more inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy."

While Oxbow can now congratulate itself on officially joining the ranks of companies worldwide that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, legal responsibility and transparency, it is well aware that this is not an end in itself, and that it still has a long way to go and many projects to achieve.

" Oxbow Stoked Planet " take advantage of the playgrounds the planet has to offer by minimizing our impact on it! Since 2020, with its employees, ambassadors, suppliers, collaborators and consumers, the Bordeaux-based brand has undertaken numerous actions to become a dynamic agent of change in the outdoor industry.

Commitments grouped under 4 major pillars:

1. Product sustainability: Several initiatives have been put in place, including collaboration with repair workshops Les Réparables (clothing and backpacks) and Tearing Waves (wetsuits), the opening of "Stay Alive by Oxbow", an eco-responsible second-hand surf-shop based in Mérignac, the recycling of the brand's textile waste in collaboration with Landes-based company Ouatéco, and Nomad Surfing for surfing equipment...
2. Eco-design: The brand has undertaken the relocation of production to Europe and France, in particular with the DSL Tex workshop, the Regain factory and the Grimel studio. The brand now works exclusively with French shapers to manufacture its surfboards. OXBOW also selects eco-responsible and sustainable raw materials such as Yulex, Repreve, Tencel Lyocell, Coton Goats...
3. Community involvement: The brand supports a number of public awareness initiatives, such as beach clean-ups and its partnership with the Water Family, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising schoolchildren's awareness of environmental issues and water conservation...
4. Transparency and traceability: To be as close as possible to its supplier partners, the brand has opened 2 offices in Asia staffed by quality experts: 1 in India, 1 in Bangladesh. The brand carried out its first carbon audit in 2019/2020 in collaboration with Air Coop, and is currently working on the next one. Traceability also involves obtaining certifications: Oeko-Tex, RSL/Reach, Amfori and now B Corp.