5 Ethical Fashion Certifications You Need to Know About

18. Feb.

Many people are familiar with ethical certifications in the food industry, such as Fair Trade, ensuring fair living and working conditions throughout the supply chain. However, only a few people are aware of existing ethical fashion certifications.

You wear clothes daily, but have you ever asked yourself questions like:

Who made my clothes?
How much do garment workers get paid per hour?
Is my t-shirt actually made from organic cotton?

There is, indeed, a wide spectrum of different ethical fashion certifications out there - ranging from more general certifications, such as B Corporation to more specific ones, focusing on environmental terms, such as GOTS. We would like to present five of them to you.

General Certifications

1. B Corporation

The B Corporation, or B-Corp certification, is one of the most trusted, ethical certifications. Companies certified with B-Corp have to meet strict social and environmental standards, including being responsible for its workers, customers, community, and of course, our planet. In general, clothing brands are expected to be transparent and to lead with accountability. This certification focuses on brands, aiming to create “a sustainable global economy while conducting business with purpose.” B Corporation was founded in Pennsylvania and is used in over 70 countries by over 3,000 brands.

Brands certified with B Corporation

Patagonia, Veja, TOMS, Outland Denim, Frank and Oak, Allbirds, Eileen Fisher

Focused on Labour

2. Fair Trade Certified

Fair Trade puts its emphasis on ensuring fair living wages and safe working conditions, for farmers and workers in developing countries worldwide. Their main value is to work closely with everyone, who is part of the supply chain, starting from producers and ending with consumers. The empowerment of disadvantaged producers and communities in less developed countries is what they aim to achieve. The certification is fully against injustice in conventional, profit-oriented trade. Fashion brands meeting the rigorous, social and economic standards by Fair Trade International are allowed to use the Fair Trade label on their products. The international Fair Trade Foundation is based in London.

Brands certified with Fair Trade

MUD Jeans, Armedangels, People Tree, Know the Origin, Veja, Patagonia, Outland Denim

3. Fair Wear Foundation

In terms of garment production, Fair Wear Foundation is focused on the sewing process, in particular. Together with brands, consumers, NGOs and the government, they have created standards based on the UN Declaration on Human Rights.

Employees working in the garment industry must work under fair conditions, including no child labour, equal opportunities, a living wage and reasonable working hours. To monitor whether brands ensure fairer standards for their employees, Fair Wear Foundation regularly carries out brand performance checks, factory floor audits and factory training. However, fashion brands, part of the foundation, are responsible for maintaining fairness and to promote improvement within their supply chains. The Fair Wear Foundation is a Europe-based certification and works with brands producing in Europe.

Brands certified with Fair Wear Foundation

Armedangels, Acne Studios, Jack Wolfskin, pinqpong, Marc O’Polo

Focused on the Environment

4. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

The Global Organic Textile Standard, short GOTS, is the leading and most trustworthy textile processing standard for organic fibres worldwide. This certification ensures the whole supply chain, from harvesting of the raw materials to the finished product, meets the strict social and environmental requirements set by GOTS. What they take into consideration is both, socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing of organic textiles, such as ethical labour, chemicals used for fibres and wastewater treatment. The Global Organic Textile Standard covers all textiles made from 70% certified organic natural fibres.

Brands certified with GOTS

Armedangels, Komodo, Organic Basics, Beaumont Organic

5. Cradle2Cradle

Cradle2Cradle is a certification, which puts its entire focus on the organic quality of a material. It evaluates whether a fabric is recyclable, is produced by utilizing renewable energy and how much water is used during production. Moreover, the certification takes into account the social factor behind the production.

To sum it up, Cradle2Cradle focuses both on the production of fabrics and on the end-of-life impact of certified products, hence creating a circular economy.

After the whole evaluation process, a product is rated basic, bronze, silver, gold or platinum in each category.

Brands selling products certified with Cradle2Cradle

C&A, Eileen Fisher, H&M, Kering

Sources

https://eluxemagazine.com/culture/articles/ethical-fashion-certifications/

https://supplycompass.com/sustainable-fashion-blog/sustainable-fashion-certifications/

https://www.eco-stylist.com/ethical-fashion-certifications-you-need-to-know/

https://bcorporation.net/

https://bcorporation.net/news/ethical-fashion-brands-solving-global-issues-exploitative-labor-environmentally-harmful

https://www.ellecanada.com/fashion/shopping/8-fashion-and-beauty-brands-that-are-certified-b-corps

https://www.businessinsider.com/b-corp-retail-companies?r=DE&IR=T#eileen-fisher-14

https://goodonyou.eco/best-fair-trade-brands/