The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) announces a rebrand. Now called Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance still aims to “drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry” states a press release.

“Cascale’s vision reflects my mission to inspire responsible businesses that commit to transparency and benefit people and the planet,” says Cascale’s co-founder Rick Ridgeway. “As Cascale evolves to address the needs of a broader scope of consumer goods beyond apparel and footwear, I’m proud to celebrate this new vision of an organization that is close to my heart.”

The alliance explains the name change as follows:

The “Cas” in Cascale is “SAC” reversed, while “CA” refers to “collective action,” and “scale” references scaled ambitions. The “C” in Cascale evokes a new “phase” similar to lunar cycles in nature, as well as moonlight or a mirrored reflection. The logo’s elements symbolize the organization’s three member categories, and external stakeholders, all critical players in advancing the unified strategy announced in September 2023. Cascale is pronounced “kæsk eɪl.”

Higg Index

In 2009, Walmart and Patagonia founded the SAC, bringing apparel industry stakeholders together to develop a common approach to measuring sustainability. In 2010, the SAC launched the Higg Index, a suite of tools companies use to measure, evaluate, and improve social and environmental impact in the textile, apparel, and footwear industry. Over 24,000 users rely on the Higg Index each year. As home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies began joining the SAC and using the Index — making up 10% of Cascale’s members — the organization saw a need for a more expansive name. Cascale reflects its goal of scaling collective action.

While the alliance highlights expansion beyond fashion as the reason for the Cascale rebrand, Sarah Kent, chief sustainability correspondent at Business of Fashion (BoF), claims it also distances the organization from a 2022 greenwashing scandal involving its Higg sustainability tool. After a greenwashing crackdown led by the Norwegian government, the SAC paused its consumer-facing transparency program, according to Vogue Business.

Kent says the organization has been “working to move beyond criticism that its data on the environmental impact of materials is not robust enough to back up consumer-facing marketing claims.” The rebrand comes nine months after Higg Inc., a company under the SAC, changed its name to Worldly.

“Stakeholders across the value chain prioritize sustainability performance aimed at industry-wide harmonization, reduction of duplicative efforts, and radical collaboration for tool, program, and policy adoption,” says Carolina van Loenen, director of stakeholder engagement at Cascale. “Our new name and branding reflect our expanded ability to increase our community’s collective impact. Cascale remains committed to embracing the diverse perspectives of our members, partners, and external stakeholders to align on meaningful action.”