10 Fashion Certifications You Need to Know About
The terminology surrounding sustainable fashion can often be quite ambiguous. Phrases found in brand descriptions can be interpreted in various ways. For example, what do terms like ethical production or environmentally-sound manufacturing truly mean in practice? This terminology leaves ample room for interpretation and raises the risk of greenwashing by brands that may not be genuinely ethical.
As enthusiasts of sustainable fashion, we must continuously navigate through emerging certification types and trendy phrases. For example, many luxury brands claim their products are handmade or crafted by artisans, but does this guarantee they were paid fairly? Regarding local sourcing, how extensive does an area need to be to be considered ‘local’? Or, what exactly differentiates an artisan from a skilled worker?
Of course, there is a more reliable method for assessing a brand's sustainable practices which is to look for ethical fashion certifications. So, if you’re ready to make more eco-friendly fashion choices, there is 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. This week, we will outline the ethical fashion certifications that we trust and rely on when assessing the sustainability of a fashion brand.
B-Corp certification is one of our favourites to look for, as it requires companies to meet strict social and environmental standards. It emphasises responsibility toward workers, customers, community, and the planet. This certification is important for clothing brands focusing on transparency and accountability, aiming to create a sustainable global economy.
The Fair Trade certification focuses on fair wages and safe conditions for farmers and workers globally. They empower disadvantaged producers and aim to combat injustice in trade. Brands meeting Fair Trade standards can use the label on products.
The Fair Wear Foundation on the other hand, collaborates with various stakeholders to set standards based on human rights principles. Their monitoring process includes brand performance checks, factory audits, and training. Brands must ensure fair conditions, including no child labour, equal opportunities, living wage, and reasonable working hours. And of course, they provide a certification badge for any brands adhering to their standards.
While the Global Organic Textile Standard - also called GOTS certification – is the foremost and most reliable textile processing standard for organic fibres across the globe. This certification guarantees that the entire supply chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the final product, adheres to the stringent social and environmental criteria established by GOTS.
The Cradle2Cradle certification also focuses on the organic quality of materials, but assessing recyclability, renewable energy use, water consumption, and social factors in production. This organisation aims to create a circular economy by considering both fabric production and end-of-life impact.
If you want to be sure that your clothing was produced ethically, then seek out brands that are part of the Fashion Revolution. This is an affiliation more than a certification, and it indicates that their manufacturing practices guarantee fair wages for all workers, and that every stage of production is transparent and traceable. While Fashion Revolution has not yet issued official ethical fashion certifications, they are actively working towards developing one.
The EcoCert ethical fashion certification is one that we recently came across for the first time and straight away, we’re adding it to our list. This organisation assesses organic agricultural materials that can be used in clothing, such as organic cotton, hemp, or linen.
Originating in France, EcoCert has since grown to have an international presence. They offer agricultural training and assist in transitioning farms to more organic methods. Additionally, EcoCert certified textiles produced from organically grown materials in accordance with Organic Content Standards. This standard aims to ensure the traceability and integrity of raw materials throughout every phase of production.
Oeko-Tex is arguably the most recognised ethical fashion certification available. The Oeko-Tex Standard ensures that the textiles you wear are free from toxic chemicals, which is particularly crucial for children's clothing and sleepwear. The certification system consists of four tiers, which differentiate between illegal chemicals, legal chemicals deemed harmful to health, generally safe chemicals, and completely safe chemicals.
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 applies across various production phases, with compliance testing conducted by independent inspectors. You will often find Oeko-Tex certification alongside GOTS certification.
As many of us are already aware of, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is one of the most recognised ethical fashion certifications available, and is dedicated to advocating for animal rights on a global scale. To guarantee that brands and retailers offer 100% vegan products, they have established the PETA-Approved Vegan certification.
By obtaining this certification, a brand commits to using no animal products in any of its collections. Although the certification is issued in good faith and lacks rigorous compliance monitoring, the vegan community is likely to speak out if a brand fails to uphold its promises. This certification encompasses not only clothing but also accessories, as well as sports and home goods.
Friend of the Earth stands as another premier global certification standard for products and businesses committed to sustainable practices. This organisation collaborates with numerous innovative companies in the fashion industry that prioritise sustainability, enabling consumers to shop with assurance.
In essence, to obtain the Friend of the Earth certification, fashion products and textiles must be derived from agricultural or farming products certified by Friend of the Earth. Alternatively, they can be sourced from recycled materials produced in a manner that honours both the environment and the workforce.
By choosing fashion items with one or more of these certifications, you’re contributing to a healthier planet and supporting fairer industry practices. Ethical certifications like these are essential for ensuring that we’re making informed purchases that don’t harm the environment or society further. What certifications do you prioritise when shopping sustainably? We’d love to hear what certifications you value most in your sustainable shopping choices! Or if you do at all.
[All images sourced on canva.com; Info sourced on goodonyou.eco and considerate-consumer.com]