• SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFACTIONS FOR FASHION AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS

    If you are interested in fair fashion and sustainable beauty products it's good to know about the certificates on the products. Coming from different organizations they all consider different criteria  - from the ecological or social field.

    Many consumers are overwhelmed by the large number of standards. Therefore, we have summarized and explained the most important ones for you.

    BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)

    This non-profit organisation has taken on the task of improving the social and ecological conditions in cotton cultivation. The criteria for the BCI are pesticide use, water consumption, soil protection, product quality and social aspects. It is not the end product that is certified, but the cotton producers. The requirements for small farmers and large producers vary.

    BDIH Cosmos

    The BDHI certification by Cosmos is one of the most important in the field of natural cosmetics. Ecological, health and social aspects are taken into account. The products must not contain any artificially produced dyes, fragrances, silicones, paraffins or other petroleum products. Animal testing and genetic engineering are also prohibited. Instead, the raw materials must come predominantly from controlled organic cultivation.

    Blauer Engel

    Blauer Engel is the oldest certification for products and services in the environmental sector. Criteria such as the economical use of raw materials in production, the respectful handling of health and work safety, the longevity of a product and sustainable disposal are taken into account in the certification process.

    Bluesign

    The bluesign standard is a certificate created by the textile and chemistry experts at Bluesign Technologies AG. It guarantees harmless processes and components for people and the environment throughout the entire value chain. This involves the harmlessness of chemicals in terms of consumer protection, waste water, emissions, work safety and resource efficiency. All fiber types that do not contain any hazardous chemicals can be certified.

    Cradle to Cradle Label

    The cradle-to-cradle principle aims to avoid waste. From "cradle to cradle" means that all resources are returned to an endless life cycle after their use. The products are evaluated according to material safety, reuse, renewable energies, social fairness and water consumption. The certification is gradual: From basic to bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The gold and platinum certificates consider the products to be particularly safe and recyclable. 

    EU Ecolabel

    The EU Ecolabel, which is part of the EU Flower, stands for "greener and healthier" products. The aim of the label is to reduce harmful substances as well as air and water pollution. All types of fibres, including recycled fibres, are permitted.

    Fair Trade

    The "Fairtrade Certified Cotton" label was first introduced on cotton products in 2005. The label guarantees fair working conditions for cotton farmers and their employees. The initiative also pays surcharges for organic farming and promotes conversion. The use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers is strictly controlled. Products carrying this label must be 100% Fairtrade certified cotton.

    Fair Trade Gold

    The "Fair Trade Gold" label stands for fair working conditions for miners as well as health and environmental protection in gold mining. The guaranteed minimum price for Fair Trade Gold is an important factor. Illegal child labour is generally prohibited in Fairtrade-certified mines. The label also guarantees that the gold does not come from conflict regions.

    Fair Wear Foundation

    The aim of the non-profit Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is to improve working conditions in the textile industry, or more precisely in ready-to-wear clothing. Member companies and their production sites are regularly checked and evaluated for the fulfilment of the FWF's catalogue of requirements.

    Global Recycled Standard

    The label Global Recycled Standard (GRS) introduced by the American NGO Textile Exchange creates some transparency in the recycled supply chain: It can be awarded if products consist of at least 20 percent recycled materials and the entire supply chain is certified. Furthermore, the addition of chemical substances is regulated by the GRS. The label also sets standards for environmental management and corporate social responsibility.

    Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS)

    The leading animal welfare standard in the down producing and processing industry. It strictly excludes live plucking and stuffing. The down farms are inspected by an independent organization before certification. Unannounced inspections are also part of the daily routine.

    GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

    The Global Organic Textile Standard covers all textiles consisting of 90% natural fibres and at least 70% organically produced natural fibres. Social standards are also taken into account. Quality control takes place through independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. GOTS is one of the best known and strictest labels for organic clothing.


    IVN

    The International Association of the Natural Textile Industry e.V. (IVN) is an association of companies that meet the highest standards of environmental protection, social responsibility, quality and consumer protection. The IVN awards two different quality marks: IVN-Naturtextil Best and IVN-Naturleder, whose guidelines document the highest possible ecological and social standard. As part of IVN certification, the entire production chain is checked by independent institutes. 

    Leather standard by Oeko-Tex

    This label for leather products focuses on consumer and environmental protection. It primarily controls the content of harmful substances.

    Made in Green by Oeko-Tex

    Made in Green by Oeko-Tex is an independent label that certifies textile products that are guaranteed to be free of harmful substances, produced in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. The label contributes to making the supply chain transparent. A unique product ID or QR code enables the consumer to trace the production facilities where the product was manufactured, the production stages of the factories involved and the production countries.

    Oeko-Tex® Standard 100

    Products with this independent product label are guaranteed to contain no harmful substances. The condition for the award is that all elements, i.e. not only the fabric but also the sewing threads, prints, buttons, zippers, rivets or other accessories must meet the criteria. Azo dyes, heavy metals such as nickel, pesticides and other harmful chemicals are prohibited. Even substances that are not yet regulated by law are considered.

    Oeko-Tex® Standard 1000

    Unlike the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 is not a product label, but is a certification for companies. Above all, the environmental impact of production facilities and processes is checked. In addition, a company must prove that at least 30% of its products have already been successfully certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 in order to receive the seal. Criteria include compliance with strict limit values for waste water and exhaust air, optimization of energy consumption, exclusion of certain environmentally harmful additives, dyestuffs and production processes. Safety at the workplace must be guaranteed.

    Peta Approved Vegan

    Products bearing the PETA-approved vegan logo are 100% vegan. Leather, wool, silk and fur and parts containing animal ingredients are excluded. The PETA label is one of the few that is free for companies. This is why even smaller brands that meet the requirements can afford it.

    Responsible Down Standard (RDS)

    This Textile Exchange label is for down products produced without animal suffering. The animals are plucked only when slaughtered. Also stuffing is forbidden. Both announced and unannounced inspections take place regularly.

    Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

    The Textile Exchange label is one of the leading standards for animal welfare in wool production. It covers the entire value chain, from wool producers to clothing factories. In addition to the protection of livestock, the focus is on sustainable management and soil protection as well as transparency in the supply chain. Testing and certification are based on annual site inspections.

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