Products of Change will be closing the first stage of the Partner Maturity Index for input on 29 May, so time is ticking to input your data.

Built in partnership with Kids Industries and rolled out in collaboration with the Global Licensing Group and Informa, the PMI enables the licensing industry to collectively build a clearer, more aligned understanding of environmental maturity across its global partner network.

This industry-first tool is designed to unify and streamline sustainability data reporting across the brand and licensing ecosystem, enabling a shared, structured view of environmental maturity across global supply chains.

So far, nearly 600 companies are in the process of filling out the index, contributing their company’s reporting to the Index to offer visibility across their partners.

Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder and CEO of POC, says, “The POC Maturity Index is a two-year, industry-funded initiative. Phase one helps brand owners understand their partners’ sustainability journey, while Phase two enables licensed manufacturers to benchmark their own sustainability maturity against the industry and identify clear opportunities to progress.”

The index is aligned with the key impact areas that POC set out in its Sustainability Framework: a plan for the industry in alignment with the 2030 climate goals. As the licensees input their data, they are able to see where they sit compared to both the industry average, and where they need to be to hit the 2030 climate goals.

The Maturity Index simplifies the process for both the brand owners and the licensees and provides a single tool for the industry to use. POC is giving this tool free for its members to use and for its brand members to access. And any licensee that works with any brand throughout the industry can fill this in whether they’re a member or not, and they’ll be able to see their score.

“Completing the survey gave our sustainability team a valuable chance to review and refocus on multiple areas of the business. It also sparked meaningful discussions and encouraged wider engagement around our sustainability targets, goals, and achievements. We would encourage all POC members to use the survey in a similar way to collaboratively gather and share their data,” commented Maxine Thornhill, compliance & sustainability manager, Aykroyd & Sons Ltd.

Products of Change will review the data each year and compile a report on where the industry is at and where it needs to be, with anonymised data. Not only does this data greatly benefit the businesses who utilise it, but it will allow Products of Change to better understand the progress of the industry and support on the areas that need more focus.

“In an industry that is rapidly evolving, the POC Maturity Index offers a consistent and credible benchmark for progress. For Danilo, embracing it is a logical step in ensuring we remain accountable, transparent and aligned with the wider sustainability goals of the licensing and greetings sector,” said Claire Bates, senior marketing & sustainability manager, Danilo.

By taking part, companies are not only supporting their own business but are helping to build the infrastructure that will enable the entire industry to progress on its sustainable transition.

For more information on Products of Change and its Partner Maturity Index, contact hello@productsofchange.com or visit www.productsofchange.com/maturity-index-2.