Ethical Fashion Certifications & Standards
Sustainable fashion has gained traction in recent years, given the increasing consumer awareness of the negative impact of “fast fashion”. And since fashion industry is so consumer- oriented we now see a lot more brands talking about “ethics” and “sustainability”. But does that mean they’re actually taking meaningful actions to mitigate the social & environmental impact of the fashion industry?
A secure way to evaluate a brand’s sustainable practices is through third-party audits and certifications, which make it easier to tell if brands are truly being kind to people and the planet. To simplify the process, we’re breaking down the sustainable fashion certifications that you are likely to come across in fashion supply chain.
Key Certifications
Bluesign®
The independent bluesign® is a certification for environmental health and safety in the manufacturing of textiles. The certification ensures that the products were manufactured with responsible use of resources and the lowest possible impact on people and the environment.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well. Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibres can become GOTS certified.
Cradle to Cradle®
Cradle to Cradle® certification acknowledges continuous improvement and innovation of products and processes towards the goal of being not just “less bad” but also “more good” for people and the planet. Certification criteria are: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.The certification is available at several levels: Basic, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
Fairtrade Certified
The Fairtrade mark is awarded to products that are made under safe working conditions and ensures that people in the supply chain have been paid fairly for their work. Fair Trade USA® enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, fishermen, consumers, industry, and the earth.
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)
The Fair Wear Foundation is a non-profit organisation that works with over 130 brands, factories, trade unions, NGOs and governments to improve working conditions for garment workers in 11 production countries across Asia, Europe and Africa. The brands they work with provide equal opportunities to all employees, workers have a right to unionise, a fair living wage, a safe environment, and reasonable working hours.
Global Recycle Standard
The Global Recycle Standard has been developed to meet the needs of companies looking to verify the recycled content of their products (both finished and intermediate) and to verify responsible social, environmental and chemical practices in their production. The GRS ensures the traceability of materials and guarantees that the claims made about a product can be officially backed up.
*The GRS label may be used on the final garment, if it contains a minimum of 20% recycled materials.
PETA
The PETA-Approved Vegan brand has either signed PETA’s statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products and that they pledge not to do so in the future.