The outdoor industry produces some of the most innovative products in the world. Our merchandise reaches all corners of the globe and enriches people’s lives by supporting healthy and active lifestyles through outdoor recreation. In a rapidly evolving global economy, fair and predictable trade is essential for our industry’s continued innovation and growth. A level playing field and access to overseas markets for American manufacturers of outdoor products is critical to their business and our economy. Balanced and predictable trade policy results in lower costs to consumers and ensures continued product innovations that are critical to the outdoor industry’s viability.

In 2010, the OIA Trade Program will:

• Ensure fair and proper treatment of the outdoor industry’s innovative products as they move through the supply chain to retail.

• Support companies that produce outdoor products in the United States and serve as a resource for these businesses.
• Assist our members with access to foreign markets, education about government resources and support in overcoming export barriers.
• Support passage of the US OUTDOOR Act, which seeks to reduce tariffs on performance outerwear while reinvesting in American jobs and U.S.- based technologies that are focused on sustainable manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies.
• Support passage of the Affordable Footwear Act, legislation developed in conjunction with U.S. footwear manufacturers to eliminate outdated tariffs on several categories of outdoor footwear and make these products more affordable to a broader range of consumers.
• Work with the Obama administration and Congress as they develop trade policy with a stronger focus on labor and environmental standards.  The outdoor industry’s history of environmental awareness, corporate responsibility, and sustainable manufacturing practices can serve as a valuable resource to policymakers in this new era of trade policy. 
• Support and promote the work of the OIA Sustainability and Fair Labor Working Group and seek to offer policy initiatives based on its work.
• Work with the appropriate federal agencies to establish a delineation of specialized, innovative performance apparel and other outdoor products from mass consumer goods.

Sustainability and Fair Labor
The outdoor industry strives to be a global leader in sustainable and fair business practices.  Outdoor companies strive to be responsible corporate citizens where doing the right thing is the norm.

In 2010, the OIA Sustainability and Fair Labor program will:

• Leverage global partners and established resources enabling outdoor companies to speed the implementation of best business practices. 
• Develop tangible tools with the goal of assisting outdoor companies in making informed sourcing, product life cycle and purchasing decisions.
• Advocate for incentive-based government regulations that reward innovation and early adopters of sustainable business practices in conjunction with the OIA Trade Advisory Council.