Sustainable fashion certifications

To create systems that guarantee principles in sustainable processes, materials, products, brands and companies, there are different certifications to ensure their transparency and veracity. 

Sustainable certifications are mainly focused on verifying issues of fair trade, traceability, environmental impacts, use of toxic substances, among others.  Some of the best known are: 

– GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS) is one of the most complete global certifications.

GOTS evaluates the entire value chain for textile products made with at least 70% organic fiber, evaluating all phases of the manufacturing process, quality, and durability of the final product.

It also ensures its manufacture with workers in conditions with wages that allow a dignified life, in humane, free, regular, and non-discriminatory conditions.

– OEKO-TEX® is a global certification to evaluate the use of toxic substances. There are different variations, including STANDARD 100, STeP, MADE IN GREEN and ECO PASSPORT.

– REACH is a certification applied only to European Union countries where the use of chemical substances is verified, even if they are not toxic.

– Fair Trade International (WFTO) is an international certification of social character. 

However, it evaluates products where the economic, social, and environmental aspects of their production ensure compliance with 10 principles of fair trade of the United Nations.

WTFO endorses aspects such as decent pay and working conditions, no child labor, environmental practices, among others. 

– Better Cotton Initiative promotes principles and criteria to grow cotton in a more sustainable way.

There are many other certifications focused on solving different problems in the apparel industry, such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Blue sign, Cradle to Cradle, Responsible Down Standard, or the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).

The most important thing is that the selection of your processes and materials always comes from an overall analysis that involves the entire production chain to make the most critical decisions thinking about the mitigation of environmental and social impacts.

If you want to know more about the importance of building a more responsible industry, we invite you to read our article Why is sustainable fashion important?

Likewise, if what interests you is to join from the design, there are various techniques and methods that you can learn to achieve it. 

Creamodite has been researching and promoting the method of pattern making and design zero waste fashion since 2016, with sustainable design methodologies capable of achieving garments with zero waste through the work of the forms. If you want to learn the method, you have the online course and if you already know it you can participate in the fashion alive design contest and you can participate in the catwalk performance in Madrid, Italy and Portugal.

For more info contact us at info@workef.com or on our web creamodite.org