Storm Creek earns bluesign® PRODUCT status, setting a new benchmark in promotional apparel

Storm Creek has reached a significant sustainability milestone by achieving bluesign® PRODUCT status, becoming the first US-based supplier in the promotional products industry to receive this certification. For the company, the recognition is less about being first and more about staying consistent with long-held values around responsible production and transparency.

bluesign® PRODUCT is regarded as one of the most demanding verification systems in the apparel sector. It assesses the full supply chain, from raw materials to finished garments, with a focus on responsible chemical use, lower environmental impact, and safer working conditions. Storm Creek chose to pursue this standard as part of its ongoing effort to lead through action rather than claims.

As part of this achievement, 75 Storm Creek pullover and quarter-zip styles are now officially certified as bluesign® PRODUCT. Reaching this scale required investment in approved fabrics, close collaboration with trusted suppliers, and production in facilities that meet strict environmental and social criteria. Rather than a one-off effort, the certification reflects practices that are built into the company’s design and sourcing process.

To qualify for bluesign® PRODUCT, a garment must include at least 90 percent bluesign® approved fabrics and 40 percent bluesign® approved components. Manufacturing must also take place in facilities that meet defined standards for environmental management and worker safety. Each stage is reviewed to support safer chemistry, responsible resource use, and reduced impact on people and the environment.

Jenn Sugiyama, Brand Services Manager at bluesign, noted that Storm Creek set this goal early on. She said the team was already focused on improving sustainability across systems, suppliers, and products before formally joining as a System Partner. She added that achieving bluesign® PRODUCT requires meeting strict criteria that support worker safety, responsible resource use, and high levels of consumer protection.

For Storm Creek, the certification reinforces an approach centered on accountability. Laura Smith, Sustainability and Compliance Manager, explained that having 75 products recognized shows sustainability is part of everyday decision-making rather than an isolated project. The process validates the care taken in selecting materials, partners, and production methods that aim to protect people and conserve resources.

The milestone also fits within the company’s broader sustainability framework. Storm Creek is a Certified B Corporation and holds an EcoVadis Gold rating, reflecting its focus on measurable and credible progress rather than surface-level commitments.

CEO Teresa Fudenberg emphasized that the company did not pursue bluesign® PRODUCT for recognition alone. She said the decision aligned with Storm Creek’s responsibility as a trusted supplier and its belief that meaningful progress requires consistent effort. For Storm Creek, achieving bluesign® PRODUCT status is simply a continuation of how the company chooses to operate.