You know how the saying goes, quality is always better than quantity! For us fashion brands, one of the first things we consider when it comes to fabric quality is certification. As consumers become more environmentally conscious and socially aware, the demand for ethically produced and certified fabrics has surged. Fabric certifications serve as a guarantee that the materials used in your clothing meet specific environmental, social, and safety standards. Today, we will explore the importance of fabric certifications, highlight key certifications to look for, and provide tips to verify these certifications.

Why Fabric Certifications Matter

• Ensuring Quality and Safety
  Certified fabrics undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to meet specific standards set by recognized certifying bodies. These standards often cover various aspects, including the absence of harmful chemicals, durability, and overall performance. 
• Promoting Sustainability and Ethical Practices
  Fabric certifications help promote sustainability and ethical practices by ensuring that the materials are produced in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways. Certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fair Trade Certified focus on sustainable production methods, ethical labour practices, and fair trade principles.
• Building Consumer Trust and Brand Reputation
  Have you noticed that consumers are more informed and discerning than ever? Customers seek transparency and are willing to support brands that align with their values. Sourcing certified fabrics helps build consumer trust and enhances your brand’s reputation. Certifications act as a mark of credibility, signalling to your customers that your products meet high standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.
• Regulatory Compliance
  Fabric certifications also help ensure compliance with various national and international regulations. Different countries have specific requirements regarding the safety and environmental impact of textiles. By sourcing certified fabrics, you can avoid legal issues and therefore future headaches!

Key Certifications to Look For

Here are some of the key certifications to look for when sourcing fabrics for your fashion brand:

1. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

   The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognized as the leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. It includes strict criteria for environmental and social responsibility, covering the entire textile supply chain. This certification ensures that the textiles are made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres.
   
   GOTS-certified fabrics are produced using environmentally friendly processes. This includes the prohibition of toxic chemicals, pesticides, and GMOs in organic farming. The certification also ensures that workers involved in the production process are treated ethically, with fair wages, safe working conditions, and no child labour. GOTS is globally recognized, giving your customers confidence in the authenticity and integrity of your products.
   
   

2. OEKO-TEX Standard 100

   OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a globally recognized certification that tests textiles for harmful substances. To achieve this certification, every component of the product, including threads, buttons, and other accessories, must be free from harmful chemicals.
   
   OEKO-TEX ensures that textiles are safe for human health, protecting consumers from exposure to harmful chemicals. The certification often covers compliance with international safety regulations, making it easier for brands to meet regulatory requirements. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 can be applied to raw materials, intermediate products, and finished products, offering flexibility for different stages of the textile supply chain.
   
   

3. Fair Trade Certified

   Fair Trade Certified ensures that the production process adheres to fair trade principles. This includes fair wages for workers, safe working conditions, and environmental sustainability. The certification aims to empower workers and promote equitable trade relationships.
   
   Fair Trade Certified fabrics guarantee that workers are paid fairly and work in safe environments. A portion of the Fair Trade premium is invested in community development projects, such as education and healthcare. Lastly, it encourages sustainable farming and production practices, contributing to environmental conservation.
   
   

4. BLUESIGN®

   BLUESIGN® is a comprehensive certification that focuses on environmental and chemical management throughout the textile supply chain. It ensures that harmful substances are eliminated from the beginning of the manufacturing process and sets standards for resource productivity, consumer safety, and environmental impact.
   
   BLUESIGN® certified fabrics are produced using resources efficiently, reducing water and energy consumption. The certification guarantees that textiles are free from harmful chemicals, ensuring safety for end consumers. This certification helps reduce the environmental footprint of textile production by promoting sustainable practices and reducing emissions.
   
   

5. Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

   The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) aims to make global cotton production better for the environment and farming communities. BCI focuses on improving cotton farming practices, ensuring the sustainability and ethical production of cotton.
   
   BCI promotes practices that reduce water use, pesticide use, and soil degradation. It supports farmers in adopting sustainable practices, improving their livelihoods and income. This certification connects farmers with the global market, ensuring a demand for sustainably produced cotton.
   
   

6. Cradle to Cradle Certified™

   Cradle to Cradle Certified™ assesses products across multiple categories, including material health, material reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. This certification focuses on the circular economy, where products are designed for continuous reuse.
   
   Cradle to Cradle ensures that materials used in production can be recycled or safely returned to the environment. The certification promotes the use of renewable energy in manufacturing processes. It evaluates the social practices of the manufacturing process, ensuring fairness and equity.
   
   

7. Global Recycling Standard (GRS) Certified Fabrics

   The Global Recycling Standard (GRS) is given to fabrics that comply with a given set of standards. Fabrics that comprise of at least 20% recycled materials can be qualified as GRS-Certified. But there’s a caveat, a minimum of 50% recycled materials is needed to be able to mark a fabric with the GRC logo.
   
   GRS certification makes sure that recycled materials are used at every stage of the fabric creation. Also, it dictates that “recycled materials” also come from only trustworthy sources. This certification promotes sustainability to a certain degree and ensures fairness in evaluation.
   
   

8. Lenzing Certifications for TENCEL™ and Modal Fabrications

   Aside from fabric certifications, there are fabrics we can source that already have certifications. The company Lenzing, known for its commitment to sustainability, offers several key certifications for its TENCEL™ and Modal fibers. These certifications underscore the environmental responsibility and quality of their fabrics, making them a reliable choice for eco-conscious fashion brands.

• EU Ecolabel
  The EU Ecolabel certification ensures that TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers meet high environmental standards throughout their lifecycle. This includes criteria related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and chemical management. The EU Ecolabel is awarded to products that have a lower environmental impact, from production to disposal.
  
  
• USDA Certified Biobased Product
  TENCEL™ fibers are certified as 100% biobased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This certification indicates that the fibers are derived from renewable resources, contributing to reduced reliance on fossil fuels. It supports the use of sustainable raw materials in textile production.
  
  
• Biodegradability and Compostability
  Lenzing’s TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are certified by TÜV Austria for biodegradability and compostability in soil, freshwater, and marine environments, as well as under home and industrial composting conditions. This ensures that the fibers decompose naturally, without leaving harmful residues, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers.
  
  
• STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
  This certification confirms that TENCEL™ and Modal fibers are free from harmful substances, ensuring high product safety for consumers. OEKO-TEX® is a globally recognized label for textiles tested for harmful chemicals, ensuring that every component of the product, from threads to accessories, is safe for human use.
  
  
• FSC® and PEFC
  The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certifications ensure that the wood used for TENCEL™ and Modal fibers comes from sustainably managed forests. These certifications promote responsible forestry practices, supporting conservation efforts and ensuring the traceability of raw materials.
  
  
• Cradle to Cradle Certified™
  TENCEL™ fibers have been assessed for the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ program, which evaluates products across multiple sustainability categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. This certification emphasizes the circular economy, where products are designed for continuous reuse and recycling, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
  
  
• EcoVadis Platinum Rating
  Lenzing has received a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 1% of companies in the industry for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. This rating covers environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects, highlighting Lenzing’s comprehensive approach to sustainability.

Tips to Verify Fabric Certifications

Sourcing certified fabrics requires due diligence to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the certifications. Here are the key steps to verify fabric certifications and ensure you are working with genuine and reputable sources.

1. Check Certification Labels and Logos

   Certification labels and logos are the first indicators of a fabric’s certified status. These labels, often prominently displayed on product tags or packaging, serve as a quick reference to identify certified products. Here’s what to look for:
   
   Recognizable Logos: Familiarise yourself with the logos of major certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade Certified, BLUESIGN®, BCI, and Cradle to Cradle. These logos should be clear and not tampered with.
   
   Certification Numbers: Some certifications include unique identification numbers. These numbers can be verified through the certifying body’s database to confirm the product’s certification status. For example, GOTS-certified products often feature a unique licence number that can be cross-checked online.
   
   

2. Research Certifying Bodies

   Certifying bodies are responsible for assessing and certifying the fabrics. Their reputation and credibility are a means for us to verify that certifications claimed by manufacturers are true. Here are key things to take note of:
   Ensure that the certifying body is well-known and respected within the industry. Organisations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, and Fair Trade International are globally recognized and respected.
   
   Most certifying bodies maintain online databases where you can verify the certification status of a product. For example, the OEKO-TEX website allows you to search for certified products and companies by entering the certification number.
   
   

3. Request Certification Documents from Suppliers

   To further verify certifications, request detailed documentation from your suppliers. Reliable suppliers should have no issues providing these documents.