FAQ
AFQA
A: Inspired by the success of the AFIRM Group in harmonizing and advancing chemicals management for the global supply chain, longtime AFIRM members approached Sponsler and Associates LLC with a proposal for a new collaboration with a focus on physical testing. Better harmonization of physical testing parameters and methods is desired across the global supply chain to achieve efficiencies, advance the measurement of product quality, durability, and recyclability, and to facilitate compliance with evolving regulatory requirements related to product performance. Founding members of AFQA are ECCO, Hugo Boss, Inditex, Nike, Tom Tailor, and Under Armour.
A: Sponsler & Associates LLC is a consulting company and facilitator of AFQA and the AFIRM Group, a collaboration of apparel and footwear companies launched in 2004 with a mission to reduce the use and impact of harmful substances in the apparel and footwear supply chain (with administrative support provided by the Phylmar Group, Inc.).
Membership
A: AFQA Membership benefits include access to: industry leaders and networking; discussion of existing and emerging physical testing issues relating to apparel and footwear; information about new or updated physical test methods; information about existing or new legislation under development impacting quality parameters, durability, and recyclability; tools for brands and suppliers to assist in conducting better quality testing of materials and products; data on incidence of physical testing failures and risk areas within the supply chain; and camaraderie with industry peers. AFQA membership offers brands the opportunity to collaboratively transform the industry by developing a harmonized approach for the assessment of apparel and footwear quality – an essential aspect of emerging regulatory frameworks around the world.
A: A company can apply for AFQA membership if they meet and agree to the following eligibility requirements:
- Apparel or footwear brand
- Multi-country supply chain
- Competent technical resource (physical testing/quality/product integrity)
- A physical testing program to maintain or advance product quality, durability, and/or recyclability
- Payment of annual membership fee
- Inclusion of company/brand name as an AFQA member on the group’s public website
A: Contact AFQA Director Nathaniel Sponsler (njspon@sponslerandassociates.com) for additional information about membership requirements and how to apply.
A: AFQA maintains a Laboratory Technical Advisory Committee (LabTAC) of qualified experts selected by brand members based on their educational background, physical testing experience, unique knowledge / skill-set, and current employment at a testing organization. LabTAC supports AFQA work by providing expert advice on physical test parameters and methods, in particular the selection and maintenance of a list of recommended and harmonized parameters and methods for use in the supply chain of apparel, footwear, and related products.
AFQA members meet virtually as needed to accomplish projects and goals, approximately once per month. An in-person meeting takes place annually, with the first held in November 2023 at Hugo Boss in Metzingen, Germany and a second held in September 2024 at ECCO’s Conference Center in Tønder, Denmark. The 2025 annual meeting dates and location have not been announced yet.
A: AFQA is facilitated by Sponsler and Associates LLC, a consulting company based in California and facilitator of the AFIRM Group. AFIRM is a collaboration of apparel and footwear companies launched in 2004 with a mission to reduce the use and impact of harmful substances in the apparel and footwear supply chain (with administrative support provided by the Phylmar Group, Inc.). Apparel or footwear companies that meet the membership eligibility criteria may participate in AFQA by agreeing to abide by the group’s Participant Guidelines and paying membership dues on an annual basis.