Kingpins Show is taking a firm stand on sustainability.  The global denim show will begin the process of requiring all exhibiting denim mills to meet or exceed standards in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR), environment and chemical usage.

 

The fair’s organizers believes that industry trade shows are in a position to simultaneously help the denim industry be more responsible and support brands and retailers choose best-in-class suppliers by requiring exhibitors to comply to the highest industry standards.

 

“For example, in social compliance we have found that virtually none of our denim mills have an SA 8000 certification or a WRAP certification - which is disappointing,” said Andrew Olah, founder of Kingpins Show and Kingpins Transformers. “We are unaware of any trade show where exhibitors are required to have any standards so Kingpins has decided to implement a new approach to make shows more than a window display.”

 

-  The standards program will initially be limited to the mills exhibiting in the Kingpins Amsterdam show. The first required standard will address CSR and Kingpins organizers will offer clear guidance and support to its exhibiting mills.

 

-  As part of the process, Kingpins exhibitors will be engaged in open discussions about standards and expectations related to certifications across all designated categories.

 

-  Rather than develop a new CSR standard program, Kingpins will review the many existing industry standards and certifications (SA8000, WRAP, BSCI, ETI, FLA, SEDEX-SMETA, etc.) and require its exhibitors to select one to implement.