Canopy, an environmental non-profit organisation, has announced revised criteria for its annual Hot Button Report, which evaluates man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) producers. The updated framework reduces the assessment categories from seven to five, places greater emphasis on scaling next-generation fibre solutions and simplifies the rating system to three colours: green, yellow and red.
The revision follows a decade of progress in understanding forest-related risks in textile supply chains. As climate concerns and regulatory requirements evolve, Canopy aims to advance the next phase of the industry’s transformation by strengthening transparency, accelerating the adoption of next-generation fibres and supporting forest protection through landscape-level conservation projects.
Key Changes to the Hot Button Framework
The revised criteria establish clearer goals and expectations, expressed in both volumes and percentages, while accounting for differences in the capabilities of small, medium and large producers.
The rating system will now use three shirt colours: green, yellow and red. Producers with known high-risk sourcing will receive a red rating. The revised framework also streamlines the assessment process by reducing the number of categories from seven to five.
Assessing Fibre Sourcing and Next-Generation Solutions
The Hot Button Report assesses producers of viscose and other MMCFs, including lyocell and acetate, based on their forest sourcing practices and leadership in scaling next-generation fibres, including fibres made from recycled textiles.
Producers earn buttons by meeting the assessment criteria and receive a corresponding shirt-colour rating. A Green Shirt indicates low or no known risk of Ancient and Endangered Forests or controversial fibre in a producer’s supply chain.
More than 550 brands participating in the CanopyStyle initiative use the Hot Button Report to inform their purchasing decisions, making the assessment an important reference for fibre sourcing across the fashion industry.
Canopy Highlights the Next Phase of Fibre Transformation
Maryann Ramirez, Senior Lead at Canopy, said, “The Hot Button helped change the conversation about where fashion’s fibres come from. Ten years ago, the industry was asking whether viscose could be sourced without destroying the world’s most vital forests. Today, we have the opportunity to build a fibre system that is circular, resilient, and keeps forests standing.”
Ramirez added, “Hot Button is a system that must feel fair, equitable, and consistent year-to-year so producers can plan with confidence. At the same time, it must remain flexible enough to credit diverse pathways to impact”
Implementation in the 2027 Hot Button Report
Canopy will apply the updated criteria in its 2027 Hot Button Report. The organisation developed the framework in consultation with all 28 rated MMCF producers and selected brand partners. A legal review was also completed to align the framework with international legislation.
The revised assessment is intended to build on progress in responsible fibre sourcing while placing greater emphasis on next-generation solutions, supply chain transparency and forest conservation.