Eco-Certifications What’s the Real Deal?
Many fashion companies use sustainability certificates to show they are eco-friendly. These help consumers understand if products are made with people and the planet in mind.
Each certificate looks at different aspects of sustainability. Let's take a closer look.
GREEN BUTTON
The Green Button is a certificate that verifies the textile supply chain. It was launched in 2019 by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Green Button guarantees that people and the environment are protected in the production of textiles. It doesn't just check the final product, but also the company as a whole.
Independent inspection bodies check that the requirements of the label are met to ensure high environmental and social standards are met.
GOTS
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It means that the textiles are made from organically grown fibres and that production takes place under fair working conditions.
There are lots of rules for how the fibres are cultivated, how the fabrics are processed, the working conditions in the supply chain, and for making sure that the textiles are environmentally friendly.
To get the GOTS certificate, everyone involved in the supply chain must meet strict requirements and be audited regularly by independent third parties.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a globally recognised certificate that ensures textiles and clothing are free from harmful chemicals. The certificate covers a whole range of different harmful substances, such as toxic dyes, heavy metals and allergens.
Products have to pass a series of tests to fulfil the standard. OEKO-TEX is an independent, non-profit organisation that ensures that consumers can buy safe and environmentally friendly textile products.
Textile companies and manufacturers worldwide use the certificate to show that they are taking responsibility towards consumers and the environment.
FAIR TRADE
This certificate shows that the products have been made under fair working conditions and at reasonable prices. It's for manufacturers and suppliers who are committed to creating fair working conditions for their employees, producing in an environmentally friendly way and ensuring fair pay for their workers and products.
It also ensures that the rights and dignity of workers are protected and that they have access to education and training to improve their skills and income.
Products with such certification therefore ensure a sustainable and fair global economy.
FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION (FWF)
The Fair Wear certificate makes sure that the working conditions in the production facilities are fair and safe.
Only companies that promise to improve working conditions in their supply chains and stick to the rules of the Fair Wear Foundation get the certificate.
This includes things like stopping forced labour and discrimination, letting workers join a union and paying them a fair wage.
The Fair Wear Foundation checks up on all of this every year.
FSC
The FSC certificate stands for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It's an internationally recognised system for certifying sustainable forest management. The FSC was set up in 1993. The goal is to protect forests and forest areas around the world. It also backs sustainable forestry practices.
The certification system is based on a set of principles and criteria. These criteria are checked by independent third parties to make sure that the forests from which the wood comes from are managed in a sustainable way.
This includes, for example, sticking to labour rights, not clearing or cutting down forests, making sure that there are lots of different plant and animal species and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples.
With FSC Mix papers, however, there's no focus on how much energy and water is consumed and which materials and chemicals are used.
CRADLE TO CRADLE
Cradle to Cradle is a way of making a continuous and consistent circular economy.
Cradle-to-cradle certification is about certifying products and processes that minimise waste and reduce the impact on the environment.
Various factors are looked at, for example how energy-efficient something is, how well waste is managed, how much water is used and whether the materials are healthy and safe.
It's a shame, but it's pretty common for companies to fake or misuse certificates to make themselves look better.
However, the products being advertised with these certificates are often not produced sustainably at all. It's always a good idea to take a close look at the certificates and make sure they're genuine before you buy something. It's also a good idea to ask independent sources for advice, such as industry associations and experts, or find out about the certification body that issued the seal.
They usually make sure the supply chains are in order, that the audits are done right, and that there's cooperation with other governments and bodies. Some certification bodies have special teams or programs to monitor counterfeiting and misuse of their certificates.
Otherwise, there are many NGOs and organisations that monitor certifications to ensure that companies comply with the standards.