January, 2020

Various certifications have been developed to spot sustainable fashion more quickly to indicate the kind of sustainable fashion that can be chosen.
Here is a list of some of the most popular fashion seals to help you get started.

Certifications FOR MATERIAL sourcing & ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Blue Angel

Blue Angel’s seal holder is the German Federal Environment Ministry. “The seal identifies textiles manufactured without harmful chemicals and complies with high environmental standards. The products must also have good performance properties. The seal demands the entire production route and covers natural and synthetic fibre textiles.” (Siegelklarheit)

Cotton made in Africa

Cotton Made in Africa supports farmers in Africa to improve farming methods through training on environmentally-friendly and efficient cultivation of crops. Certain criteria have to be met for receiving the certification, followed by continuous improvement from the farmers’ side.

Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to Cradle “aims to promote an economic system without waste. This means that all materials used in a product can be recycled or biodegraded. The seal distinguishes products that use environmentally safe, harmless and recyclable materials. The requirements, therefore, predominantly cover the earliest stages of added value. The seal is awarded in five different stages.” (Siegelklarheit)

GOTS

GOTS is one of the leading textile certification schemes that certify the production of natural fibres. To be awarded the certification, a textile must contain at least 70% organic fibres, live up to the certification body’s social standards for production, and comply with the standards’ high requirements on the environmental and toxicological impact of dying and auxiliaries.

Naturland

Naturland e. V. awards the seal, a farmers' association for Organic Farming e.V.. “In the textile sector, the Naturland seal features products made from organic cotton, whose production and processing meet ecological and social requirements. Textiles certified with the Naturland seal must have at least 95% ecologically produced natural fibres. The seal covers all steps from natural fibre production to the final product.” (Siegelklarheit)

NATURTEXTIL iVN

Developed in 2000 by the International Association of Natural Textile Industry, this is currently the strictest certificate on the market for the ecological textile production supply chain. The regulations of the standard are higher than the current legal mandates within the European Union.
The iVN-certified BEST certification aims to implement a standard within the textile industry that covers the inspection of the entire textile chain in terms of ecological accountability and social accountability.

Oeko Tex

There are two different standards to distinguish here.
Oeko Tex 100 guarantees that a product is non-toxic, it does have no outspoken social or environmental agenda. Oeko Tex Made in Green, however, guarantees that a product is non-toxic and meets the standards’ environmental and social requirements. 

Oeke Tex Made in Green however, guarantees that a product is non-toxic, meets the standards’ environmental and social requirements. 

Certifications for labour standards & trade

Fair Trade / Fair Trade Cotton

Fair Trade / Fair Trade Cotton works on improving working and living conditions in the textile industry, ensures that certified textile trades trade under fair conditions, and supports environmentally-friendly production. Fair Trade Cotton focuses specifically on the cotton industry.

Fair Wear Foundation

Fair Wear Foundation is a member organization with over 80 companies participating. The works to improve working conditions worldwide, especially in sewing factories.

World Fair Trade Organization

World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is a member organization. “More than 400 Fair Trade organizations have joined forces in the WFTO. The WFTO recognizes companies committed to improving producers' living and working conditions in developing countries. The seal verifies that the ten principles of fair trade guide member companies. Only companies that complete the system can label their products with the seal.” (Siegelklarheit)

 CERTIFICATIONs FOR Animal WELFARE

Learn more about Animal-Friendly Fashion →.

PETA-Approved Vegan

PETA-Approved Vegan “is awarded free of charge to fashion companies that will then use it to better emphasize their commitment to animal rights and vegan fashion, i.e. animal-free products. To receive the logo, companies must complete a questionnaire and sign a binding declaration of assurance. A license agreement is then concluded with PETA for individual vegan items or for the entire company.” (Henkel, 2017)

RDS

Launched by the outdoor brand The North Face and meanwhile widely applied in the textile industry is the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)

RWS

The certificate called Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is mainly concentrated on cruelty-free wool production. Aspects such as the utilization of chemicals are not addressed with this certificate. But labels with this certificate source mulesing-free wool. 

The Responsible Wool Standard is an independent, voluntary standard. On farms, the certification ensures that sheep are treated concerning their 5 freedoms and also ensures best practices in the management and protection of the land. Through the processing stages, certification ensures that wool from certified farms is correctly identified and tracked.

Sunflower

The Vegan Society gives out the Sunflower. “Products of all kinds with no content from animal origins are eligible. The criteria also state that no animal testing or genetically modified organisms may be involved in the development of the product. The label is only awarded to products, not companies.” (Henkel, 2017)

Sustainable Wool (KbT)

KbT means "controlled biological animal husbandry" and follows the European Regulations on Organic Farming. The German certificate validates that animals receive species-appropriate husbandry. It assures that sheep are kept in grazing areas and reproduce naturally. Interventions on the animal, such as tail docking or mulesing, are prohibited. Also, their transportation is regulated. Furthermore, feeding of genetically modified plants and the use of fattening aids are prohibited. Furthermore, the use of pesticides and insecticides is consistently avoided - this applies both to animals and to the soil on which the animals graze.  

TDS

Together with animal welfare organizations and based on outdoor company Patagonia's Down Standard, the industry developed the Global Traceable Down Standard (TDS) certification.

LEARN MORE