Brochures & Flyers - Fair wear works: Sustainable textile purchasing for a sustainable economy

Materials on sustainable purchasing in the private sector

As an initial aid for the practical implementation of sustainable textile purchasing in your company, institution or association, we have developed fact sheets in collaboration with the GNF. These provide information on challenges and possible solutions, as well as standards, seals and multi-stakeholder initiatives in the textile industry. Another fact sheet highlights the steps towards fair textile purchasing.

The information materials can be downloaded free of charge or ordered in printed form from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Eco-fair textiles for youth houses. Sustainably procured – acting responsibly

Cover image Factsheet Youth houses 2026The factsheet outlines the first steps in the process of getting started with the fair procurement of textiles in youth houses. It shares tried-and-tested approaches and provides an overview of far-reaching resources on procedures, suppliers and existing purchasing initiatives for youth houses. Above all, it wants to give courage to try out sustainable purchasing for your own house and thus use its market power for change!

The factsheet can be downloaded free of charge.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2026, German, 8 pages, DIN A4
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Eco-fair textiles for youth houses. Sustainably procured – acting responsiblyPDF file, 650 KB
Editor:
FEMNET e.V. 
Author:
Kenza Podieh and Katharina Edinger, FEMNET
Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

Managing responsibly, acting together - For sustainable textile purchasing in companies

Fair Wear conference documentation 2022FEMNET and the Global Nature Fund hosted the #FairWearWorks conference Consistently sustainable - fair textiles in the company The aim is to open a productive dialogue between the theory and practice of sustainable textile purchasing and to network various actors in eco-fair procurement.

The event, which took place in cooperation with the Schäder Foundation on 22 September 2022 in Darmstadt, focused on the question of what contribution a sustainable and fair purchase of textiles can make as part of a holistic sustainability strategy for participants from academia, business, politics and civil society.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2022, German, 6 pages, DIN A4
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Conference documentation: Managing responsibly, acting together - For sustainable textile purchasing in companies (PDF, 0.8 MB)
Editor:
FEMNET e.V. and Global Nature Fund
Author:
Jil Carmen Holtbernd, FEMNET
Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

A look into the future of sustainable textile shopping

A look into the future of sustainable textile shoppingThrough sustainable procurement management, companies can set their course for future viability.

The fact sheet provides an overview of future-oriented innovations, such as new fibers, modern circular economy or the digital tracking of textile supply chains.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2022, German, 6 pages, DIN A4
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A look into the future of sustainable textile shopping (PDF, 5 MB)
Editor:
FEMNET e.V. and Global Nature Fund
Author:
Jil Carmen Holtbernd, FEMNET
Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

Steps towards sustainable textile purchasing in the company

Title Sustainable purchasing Fair works

Whether as protective clothing, bedding or merchandise items: Textiles are indispensable in many industries. It is well known that these are often produced under conditions that exploit people and the environment. Last but not least, the increasing interest of the public in aspects of sustainability is driving more and more companies to commit to socially and environmentally friendly production.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2021, German, 6 pages, DIN A4
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Steps towards sustainable textile purchasing in the company (PDF, 344 Kb)

Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

Sustainable textiles in professional sports: A Feasibility Study Examines the Purchasing Practices of Top Clubs

Feasibility study SportSolar systems on the stadium roof, less garbage with reusable dishes, the bratwurst from the organic farmer around the corner - in recent years, the commitment of professional sports to more sustainability has increased sharply. However, measures on purchasing practices and in particular on sustainable textile procurement have so far been rare.

Against this background, the study addresses the question of whether and how sustainable procurement of merchandising and team sportswear is feasible in professional sports. It analyses whether textiles are already purchased from a social and ecological point of view and records the challenges faced by clubs and associations. With a few exceptions, clubs of the respective first leagues as well as the top and league associations from football, handball, basketball and ice hockey were considered.

The feasibility study on sustainable textile procurement in professional sports was carried out by FEMNET on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2022, German, 38 pages, DIN A4
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Feasibility study for the sustainable procurement of textiles in professional sports (PDF, 0.5 MB)
Editor:
FEMNET e.V. on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Authors:
Mara Mürlebach and Tim Stoffel, FEMNET
Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

An overview of standards, seals and multistakeholder initiatives in the textile industry

Title Fair works Siegel

Whether it's workwear, merchandise or laundry: Through sustainable textile purchasing, your company can make a contribution to responsible business. In this factsheet, we present established sustainability standards that enable you to identify socially and ecologically produced textiles.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2021, German, 6 pages, DIN A4
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An overview of standards, seals and multistakeholder initiatives in the textile industry (PDF, 431 Kb)

Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

Challenges and solutions in the clothing industry

Title Challenges fair works

Whether safety shoes, various types of workwear, bed linen for hotels, tablecloths for restaurants or merchandise items, such as cloth bags: German companies buy a wide range of textiles. The manufacturing process of all these textiles involves social and environmental risks. With consciously made purchasing decisions in the company, buyers can help to reduce them.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2021, German, 6 pages, DIN A4
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Challenges and solutions in the clothing industry (PDF, 277 Kb)

Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

It's fair-sinking. Sustainable Purchasing at Berlin Sports Clubs

Fairsenkt cover of the brochureThere are 2,334 sports clubs in Berlin that are dedicated to various sports disciplines such as football, basketball or tennis. Together they share not only the passion for sport, but also the wearing of jerseys or the use of sports equipment such as balls or mats. Many of these clubs also offer merchandise items. However, the question arises whether their manufacturing conditions are taken into account when purchasing these products. To what extent are the effects of the production of these items on people and the environment included in the purchase decision? And what happens to the items that no longer correspond to the current design?

FEMNET e.V., cum ratione gGmbH and the Action Alliance Fairer Handel Berlin conducted a survey on these topics in spring 2023. The brochure presents the results and gives tips for the sustainable design of shopping in your own sports club. For this purpose, the brochure contains a sample purchasing guideline as well as links to digital tools that help with product evaluation.

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2023, German, 16 pages, DIN A4
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It's fair-sinking. Sustainable Purchasing at Berlin Sports Clubs (PDF, 0.8 MB)
Editor:
FEMNET e.V., cum ratione gGmbH and Aktionsbündnis Fairer Handel Berlin
Author:
Marijke Mulder, FEMNET
Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector

Fair wear works: Making purchasing at universities sustainable - practical guide for the eco-social procurement of food and textiles

Title Making purchasing at universities sustainable

theme
Sustainable procurement in the private sector
detail
2024, German, 16 pages, DIN A4
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Making purchasing at universities sustainable -
Practical guide for the eco-social procurement of food and textiles (320 KB, PDF)
Editor:
FEMNET e.V. and Fairtrade Deutschland e.V.
Author:
Jil Carmen Holtbernd, FEMNET
and Lena van der Kamp, Fairtrade Deutschland e.V.
Category: Materials on sustainable textile purchasing for the private sector