The Weekly Journal | Fashion
By Yenia Hernandez Fonseca- Aug 3, 2022
TEXTILE CERTIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Image courtesy of Tru Hugs
Fiber sourcing, textile manufacturing and production affect fashion’s environmental footprint. Despite the fact that terms like "organic", "green" and "eco-friendly" imply ethical and sustainable practices, greenwashing tactics often include these buzzwords because of their vague nature.
Transparency and traceability is essential when it comes to sustainable clothing. As conscious shoppers, these credentials extend to nearly every aspect of our concerns, whether we're looking for organic materials or confirming ethical working conditions.
Textile certifications validate and communicate sustainability claims, reassuring shoppers they’ve made the right investment on truly sustainable products. These voluntary certifications are controlled by organizations that have strict standards and rules that represent all aspects of the manufacturing process, hence why they’re extremely important when shopping for sustainable fashion.
As conscious consumers, certifications help us verify whether an item is eco-friendly, socially ethical, or cruelty free, and which standards and criteria our favorite brands are actually meeting—both environmentally and socially.
Let’s take a look at some of the key social and environmental certifications in the sustainable fashion industry.
1. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
A leading standard organization, GOTS focuses on tracing certified organic fibers (mainly cotton, but also wool and silk) throughout the supply chain. For the "Made With Organic" label, GOTS verifies that the entire supply chain meets its coveted criteria.
From harvesting of raw materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing to labeling, GOTS ensures the organic status of textiles, providing a credible assurance to consumers. GOTS certified products are made from at least 70% organic natural fibers and any chemical input, such as dyes, are evaluated for toxicity and biodegradability.
Social criteria must also be met by upholding the labor standards set forth by the International Labor Organization.
2. Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Since 1992, Oeko-Tex has been a testing and certification system focused on chemical usage in garments.
Their Standard 100 certification tests substances that are harmful for humans. Textile raw materials, intermediates, and end products undergo these tests, which are updated at least once a year to incorporate new knowledge and requirements.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 guarantees that every component used in dyeing and printing has been tested for toxic chemicals, is less harmful to the environment and given a clean bill of health.
Without sacrificing functionality or comfort, Wolfe Co. Apparel explores a more environmentally conscious way of sustainable activewear production without the use of any harmful dyes. Buttery and lightweight, our Huxley T-Shirt uses OEKO-TEX® certified yarn. Any color variation is dyed and finished with non-toxic, cruelty-free dyes and materials.
3. Bluesign
Bluesign is an independent standard certification that focuses on legal compliance in relation to environmental health and safety. This standard is awarded to textile manufacturers who provide safe working conditions for their employees and work on efforts to minimize their environmental impact.
Specifically, Bluesign focuses on the reduction of harmful substance usage at the early stages of production, as well as on consumer safety, water and air emissions, and occupational health. Strict criteria applies to chemicals, processes, materials, and products, approving of chemicals, processes, materials, and products that are safe for the environment, the workers and customers.
Our Altitude 100 and 200 Baselayers are designed to help you endure cold temperatures—they’re the perfect solution to snowy problems! Added bonus, they carry the Bluesign certification, which supports companies in their sustainable development.
4. Global Recycle Standard (GRS) & Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)
Developed to meet textile industry needs and beyond, GRS provides a track-and-trace certification system that ensures the claims about a product can be verified. It measures how much of a product's parts are recycled.
This full product, voluntary standard also sets requirements for third-party verification of social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions.
One of the leading certifying bodies for environmental practices, SCS serves many industries, including food and agriculture, forest stewardship, indoor air quality, and carpeting. In the apparel industry, SCS measures and verifies the environmental impact of textiles. Its certification is backed by rigorous scientific review, and is often applied to intimate apparel, legwear, activewear, and ready-to-wear products.
5. REPREVE
REPREVE is the number one brand of state-of-the-art, recycled performance fiber made from all types of recycled materials, including plastic bottles. So far, more than 31 billion plastic bottles have been recycled and reused to make REPREVE.
This textile is certified for recycled content claims by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)—an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental and sustainability standards. REPREVE recycled materials are certified by Oeko-Tex, GRS and SCS.
Our Charcoal Sweat Shorts are a great option if you’re looking for innovative recycled materials to make smart use of discarded reusable items in landfill.
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