Seal overview: Fair and ecological seals There is still no uniform seal for ecologically and fairly produced products, so you should look for clothing that wears both an ecological and a fair seal if possible. Seal for social standards/working conditions One of the seals for fair products is the Fairtrade Cotton seal for the raw material cotton. The aim is to improve the living and working conditions of smallholder farmers and workers on cotton plantations through fair prices and contract conditions. The Fairtrade textile standard, on the other hand, takes into account social, ecological and economic criteria throughout the entire supply chain, i.e. includes the further processing stages (spinning, weaving, making up). Within six years, living wages must be paid to employees. However, so far only a few companies are willing to implement the Fairtrade textile standard. As high-quality seals for social standards, both seals are recommended. Fairtrade product database with fair trade products in Germany (external link) The Fairtrade textile seal has been newly developed. In addition to the seal, a transparent message will explain to what extent the company or brand has already achieved compliance with the standard for their respective supply chain. Consumers can see whether the product originates from a supply chain in which living wages have already been achieved, or whether living wages are still in work according to the six-year timeframe. It also indicates whether the product contains Fairtrade cotton or other responsibly produced fibers. More information about the seal (external link) In order to improve the working conditions in the ready-made garments, the companies, which are members of the Fair Wear Foundation are. The FWF carries out its own controls in the supplier factories of its members, but also checks the member's management system to see whether, for example, the purchasing policy allows the supplier to pay steadily higher wages. The FWF has the highest social standards in clothing. The seal will only appear on the garments if the member has already made certain progress. Recommended as a high-quality seal for social standards in assembly. FWF overview with about 130 brands from around 80 member companies (external link) The Fairtrade label is a Product seal, i.e. the criteria apply to a single product regardless of the company's remaining product range. Membership in the FWF, on the other hand, represents a kind of "Company seal" dar. It is not the individual product that is tested, but the entire company. Only in this way can it be assumed that the company will change its production conditions sustainably (i.e. for all products). The FWF sees itself as a supporting organization and gives its member companies several years to implement the demanding code in a multi-stage process. Seal for environmental standards The above mentioned seals are awarded for socially produced clothing. Fairtrade, for example, also promotes organic cultivation, but it is not a condition for the seal. This is different with Natural textile IVN certified BEST. Companies with this seal must observe very strict ecological guidelines. The minimum standard is the criteria of the GOTS seal. Although the Code also includes social standards, the payment of living wages is not clearly mandatory. Recommended as a high-quality seal for ecological standards. The seal awarded by the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry (IVN) and others GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) clothing must contain 95% (Grade 1) and 70% (Grade 2) organic certified natural fibres. Other sustainable fibres are also approved for the residual fibre content at GOTS, which in turn must be tested, for example, by FSC/PEFC or recycling standards. Although the Code also includes social standards, the payment of living wages is not clearly mandatory. Recommended as a high-quality seal for ecological standards. GOTS database with products and processing stages of certified companies (external link) OCS 100 (Organic Content Standard) serves the traceability of the organic cotton in a product throughout the entire supply chain. Unlike GOTS, it does not have its own social or environmental criteria. Depending on the percentage of organic material in the certified goods, the logo of the OCS blended (min. 5% organic material) or the OCS 100 logo (min. 95% organic material) is used. Only the OCS 100 is recommended as a high-quality seal for the traceability of organic cotton. Made in Green by Ökotex. The main purpose of the standard is transparency: It assigns a QR code to each product so that traceability across the entire supply chain is possible. Although it promises to verify the compliance of suppliers with environmental and social criteria, it does not oblige them to pay living wages. It is very similar to the GOTS with the difference that it is less well-known (since it is only shorter on the market) and above all does not require the use of organic cotton, so it is slightly less ecologically demanding. State metaseal for environmental and social standards The state metaseal for textiles Green button consists of a combination of a company audit on behalf of the BMZ and the recognition of existing product seals. In contrast to the company audit, the BMZ relies on standard-setting organisations to check the products and recognises their seals. In the introductory phase (until 2021), the seal only refers to the assembly and wet processes. Further production steps are to be added in the coming years. The payment of statutory minimum wages, not living wages, is required. More information about the seal (external link) Weak textile seals Bluesign refers to all types of fibers, natural as well as synthetic fibers. Bluesign is above all an ecological seal that regulates the use of chemicals (negative list of harmful chemicals) and wants to reduce water consumption. However, there is no limit to organic cotton, genetically modified seeds are allowed. Although the label controls the protection of employees when handling chemicals, compliance with the ILO core labour standards is not verified. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 examines only the pollutants in textiles during sales, not during production. The pollutants are washed out before export, but pollute the environment in the country of production. The standard is weak: No organic cotton, no ban on genetic engineering, no social criteria. back
