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As eco-friendly and sustainable fashion choices become more popular, finding clothing labels with various certifications is becoming increasingly common. Here’s a quick guide to the most common certifications you may come across when shopping for your next favorite fashion finds. Find out what they mean so that you know how to navigate the racks when looking for eco-friendly clothing.
B Corp
You may see a label that says “Certified B Corp” while shopping for the latest trends. B Corp is short for B Corporation. To become a B Corp, a variety of standards must be met—social and environmental impacts, transparency requirements, and legal commitments to having governance that meets the standards requirements. Impacts on the environment and community well-being must be positive, workers are to be treated ethically, and B Corps positively impacts the economics of the communities they serve.
Bluesign
Bluesign is a certification for textiles. The textile was created without hazardous materials, child or forced labor, or excessive water use. It also means the manufacturer was mindful of worker safety and health, energy consumption, and carbon emissions during manufacturing. The certification also recognizes manufacturers who minimize their pollution impact.
Global Recycled Standard
The Global Recycled Standard verifies and tracks the content of recycled materials used in creating a final product. This certification covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and even the distribution of products. Companies must use at least 20% recycled materials in the recycling process to receive this certification. This standard also requires meeting social and environmental practices and involves chemical restrictions.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Textiles must use at least 70% organic materials to earn the GOTS certification. Requirements also cover dye toxicology and environmental impact. To earn this certification, textile manufacturers must familiarize themselves with the process, work with a consultant, and prepare for an on-site audit. Requirements include no animal testing, biodegradability of materials used, and worker safety standards.
OEKO-Tex
OEKO-Tex standards have three divisions: Made in Green, Standard 100, and Organic Cotton. The Made in Green certification applies to leather goods and textiles. In addition to being tested for harmful chemicals, it requires social responsibility and sustainable practices. Standard 100 applies to all types of textiles, including yarns and finished garments. The Organic Cotton Certification tests cotton for using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in addition to harmful substances.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade is a certification you’ve likely seen on other products, including coffee, tea, and sugar. Fairtrade certifications refer to the working conditions of those producing the products we love. The freedom to unionize, living wages, safe workplaces, and regulated working hours are all part of the certification requirements for textiles. Fairtrade cotton certification involves those farmers who are small producers. In addition to overseeing the safety and fair working conditions of cotton producers, Fairtrade also monitors the use of chemicals in cotton production and the use of GMOs.
Naturland
Naturland is a German certification that requires textiles to produce at least 95% of their fibers in an ecologically friendly way. Its focus is on agriculture. Producers must practice organic agriculture methods and social responsibility in the certification process and meet fair trade standards. The Naturland certification also requires transparency in corporate strategy and high standards of conduct in trade.
Cotton Made in Africa
Another certification you may see when purchasing clothing is the Cotton Made in Africa (CmiA) certification. CmiA certification for sustainable cotton from Africa requires that producers protect the environment they are farming for cotton and improve both living and working conditions for farmers and other producers.
Better Cotton Initiative
The Better Cotton Initiative helps small farmers transition to more efficient and sustainable cotton farming methods. The initiative requires inclusive and transparent management, equal participation and recognition for women, improved soil health, conservation of natural ecosystems, and more. The standards for BCI focus not only on sustainability but on enhancing the entire cotton-producing industry.
Blue Angel
Like the Better Cotton Initiative, Blue Angel approaches sustainability holistically. In addition to examining environmental and community impact, it also examines the impact product manufacturing has on human health. The certification asks producers to limit certain substances in the production of textiles, but it also restricts noise pollution and electromagnetic radiation.
USDA Organic
To be certified USDA Organic, every component of a textile or garment must have been grown and produced following USDA Organic standards. There are standards for what counts as organic in the production of cotton, wool, and mohair. To maintain USDA Organic certification, growers and producers must undergo the certification process annually. Organic products must contain at least 95% certified organic materials, and those labeled “made with” organic materials must contain at least 70% organic materials.
While the above are the most common certifications for sustainable textiles, you might see others, such as Cradle to Cradle (geared towards eliminating waste in the production process), PETA-Approved Vegan, Responsible Wool Standard, and Responsible Down Standard.