Product Category

Each Product Type contains several possible Product Categories. Product Categories are used to benchmark performance against similar products, so it is important to select the closest applicable category.

Apparel Product Categories

The following Product Categories are available for Apparel products:

Apparel Accessories should be selected for wearable apparel accessories that are intended to cover the waist, head, neck, or hands. This category includes belts, ties, beanies, hats, toques, scarves, and gloves.
Base layershould be selected when the product is a layer that is intended to be worn next to skin under additional clothing layers. Baselayers can be used to manage moisture and to protect other clothing layers from frequent washing.
Dress should be selected when the product is a one-piece garment that covers the torso and extends down the legs. Jumpsuits, rompers, and jumper dresses should all be considered dresses.
Hosiery should be selected when the product is tight-fitting sheer legwear that covers the feet and legs (at minimum, the calves) and is intended to be worn with an additional over-garment. This category includes sheer and fishnet stockings and pantyhose.
Jacket should be selected when the product is outerwear that is intended to cover the torso and protect the user from the elements, such as wind and precipitation.Suit jackets and winter jackets (providing additional protection to the cold) are considered jackets.
Jersey should be selected when the product is a sports shirt that aids in wicking sweat away from the skin to allow it to evaporate. Jerseys often identify an affiliation with a team and/or team sponsors. Bicycle jerseys and bibs should also be considered jerseys.
Legging / Tight should be selected when the product is tight-fitting opaque legwear that covers the waist, legs, and feet. Leggings and tights may or may not be worn with an additional over-garment.
Pants should be selected when the product is a loose-fitting (i.e. not body fit) outer garment that is intended to cover the waist and legs. Short pants, also called shorts and covering only the waist and upper legs, should also be considered pants.
Shirt should be selected when the product is an outer, non-protective garment for the upper body, except where the definition oft-shirt or sweater is met. This category includes button-down dress shirts and blouses.
Skirt should be selected when the product is a garment that covers from the waist downward. A skirt can be fitted to the waist or hips, but not to the legs.
Socks should be selected when the product is a pair of garments that cover the feet and (optionally) the ankles and calves. In contrast to hosiery, socks are thick enough to manage moisture by absorbing some perspiration and are opaque.
Sweater should be selected when the product is a garment for the upper body that provides thermal protection. Sweaters are usually not worn directly nextto skin and are typically an over-layer. In contrast to jackets, sweaters do not provide protection from wind or precipitation.
Swimsuit should be selected when the product is primarily intended for watersports activities. This category includes one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, board shorts, and rash guards.
T-Shirt should be selected when the product is a garment for the upper body, consisting mainly of knitted fabric and without a full-length opening at the front. T-shirts can be either short or long-sleeved. This category includes t-shirts, polo shirts, tank tops, and activewear tops. Heavyweight garments (with a main fabric above 270 grams per square meter) should be selected as a sweater due to the thermal protection they provide.
Underwear should be selected when the product is intended as a next-to-skin garment that protects outer garments from being soiled and lessens the friction of outer garments against the skin. This category includes bras, panties, thongs, briefs, and boxers.

Footwear Product Categories

The following Product Categories are available for Footwear products:

Boots Non Steel Toe should be selected when the product is footwear that covers the foot and extends up to at least the ankle, but does not have a protective toe cap. This category includes hiking boots, rubber boots, and cowboy boots.
Boots Steel Toe should be selected when the product is protective (safety) footwear that has a protective reinforcement (often steel) in the toe to protect the foot from falling objects and compression. All certified safety footwear that provides toecap protection should select this category.
Cleats should be selected when the product is footwear with protrusions from the sole of the shoe that provide additional traction during sporting activities. This category includes football shoes, running cleats, and clipless pedal cycling shoes.
Court should be selected when the product is footwear designed for indoor sports. Court shoes are designed to provide excellent traction with good lateral support and a low profile.
Dress Shoes & Heels should be selected when the product is designed for formal and smart casual events. Examples of dress shoes and heels include oxfords, monk shoes, loafers, pumps, wedges, stilettos, and other high heels.
Other Athletic Shoe should be selected when the product is athletic footwear that is not otherwise categorized.
Sandals should be selected when the product is open-toe footwear or footwear with a protective toe but open sides for breathability and water drainage.
Sneakers should be selected when the product is footwear intended primarily for athletic use, with a sole and/or midsole that is designed to absorb impact during activities such as running or jumping. Running shoes are considered sneakers and should select this category.

Home Textiles Product Categories

The following Product Categories are available for Home Textiles products:

Blanket should be selected when the product is a large single-layer piece of fabric that is often used as a bed covering to provide warmth.
Comforter should be selected when the product is a thick bed covering comprised of multiple fabric layers that sandwich insulation (including down or synthetic fill) to provide warmth. Comforters can be stitched but are not ornately embroidered.
Cushion should be selected when the product is a filled case of fabric that is primarily intended to provide an accent of color or texture to the room.
Duvet should be selected when the product is a plain (often white) thick bed covering that is comprised of multiple fabric layers that sandwich insulation (including down or synthetic fill) to provide warmth and is intended for use with a removable duvet cover.
Duvet Cover should be selected when the product is a fabric envelope that fits over a duvet and closes down the open side with a zipper, buttons, or ties.
Kitchen Towel should be selected when the product is a cloth that is intended for washing or drying dishes in the kitchen.
Lighting Shade should be selected when the product is a cover for a lamp to help soften or direct the light.
Mat should be selected when the product is a small floor covering, often near entryways, that is intended to stop dirt, water, or mud from getting onto the floor.
Mattress Pad should be selected when the product is a fitted fabric covering that covers and protects a mattress.
Napkin should be selected when the product is a piece of cloth used at a meal to protect garments and wipe the fingers or lips.
Pillow should be selected when the product is a filled case of fabric that primarily is intended to support the head and/or body while sleeping. Body pillows should select this category.
Place Mat should be selected when the product is a small cloth or pad placed under an individual place setting on a dining table or other dining surface.
Quilt should be selected when the product is a thick bed covering comprised of multiple fabric layers and insulation in the middle. The top layer is ornately patterned, often with different pieces of fabric.
Rug should be selected when the product is a moveable floor covering, often a heavy fabric with a nap or pile, that can provide warmth and noise reduction on a hard flooring surface.
Sham should be selected when the product is a decorative pillowcase, often used as an accessory to a bedding set.
Sheet Set should be selected when the product is fabric that is intended to be used as bedding. Sheet sets often have a bottom fitted sheet and a top flat sheet.
Shower should be selected when the product is a suspended piece of material which prevents water from splashing out of the shower (i.e. shower curtain).
Slipcover should be selected when the product is a removable fitted cloth that covers and protects furniture, such as a chair or a sofa.
Table Cloth should be selected when the product is a cloth that covers an entire dining table or surface.
Towel should be selected when the product is a thick absorbent cloth used by a person to dry the body. Hand towels should select this category.
Upholstery should be selected when the product is furniture that has soft coverings, such as fabric and padding.
Window Curtain should be selected when the product is a suspended piece of material mounted in front of a window, blocking light and sound from entering the room.

Other Product Categories

The “Other” Product Type is not broken down into different Product Categories and the only Product Category selection option is “Other.”The “Other” Product Type and Product Category is intended to enable users beyond the apparel, footwear, and home textiles industries to assess the cradle-to-gate manufacturing environmental impacts of their products. The Finished Goods Manufacturing processes for “Other” products are the same as those available for products in the Apparel Product Type. As such, there may be gaps for processes used in other industries. Additionally, no product use or end-of-life impacts can be added to “Other” products(product manufacturing impacts only). This approach still enables users from other industries to estimate their Scope 3 impacts.