Ethical Consumer magazine says that, despite having a healthy and wholesome image the outdoor gear industry is in reality heavily dependent upon oil-based chemicals for the production of everything from tents to walking jackets, the production of which results in highly polluting toxic waste. The authors say in their outdoor gear special buyers’ guide they surveyed more than 60 companies and found ‘virtually all the companies pay little regard for environmental issues with most having woefully inadequate...ethical reporting policies’...The rights of workers producing the gear is also a factor in how highly they score. Bryony Moore...said:...“The result is that with most companies having no policies in place to protect workers’ rights, questions must remain over the ethical credentials of the companies we surveyed.” Páramo, with its factory run by a charitable foundation, scored highly in the ethics table...But Louise Ramsay of the Outdoors Industries Association, which represents many gear manufacturers and retailers in Britain, points out not all of the companies listed actively participated in the survey...“The outdoor industry is very well aware of its environmental and ethical responsibilities, which must be balanced with a responsibility for ensuring product performance and safety for the end user. [also refers to Vegetarian Shoes, Ethical Wares, Zamberlan, Snugpak, Hilleberg, Lightwave, Osprey, ArcTeryx, Patagonia, The North Face (part of VF Corp), Vaude, Helly Hansen, Haglöfs, REI, Deuter] [includes link to full report]