Five Sustainable Fashion Certifications to Know About
Written by Valentine Fabre
In the past few years discussions around sustainability have grown to become an integral part of consumers' considerations when shopping. In 2023, the Business of Sustainability Index found that 74% of American consumers care about the environmental impact of the product they bought, while 79% could not identify environmentally friendly companies.
In response to this shift in consumer sentiment, numerous organisations have set ethical production standards and launched corresponding sustainable certifications to help shoppers discern brands that promote eco-conscious fashion. While these certifications are essential in making the fashion industry fairer and more sustainable, it is important to remember that not all brands have the funds to obtain them.
The real impact of issuing these certifications is therefore in establishing new industry standards that are more ethical, ecological and transparent. As consumers, it is also our responsibility to learn about them and research brands’ practices to not fall victim to greenwashing.
Here are five sustainable certifications that you need to know about.
Chloé, Patagonia and Sézane are some of the brands that received the B-Corp certification, one of today’s most prestigious accreditations. It is granted by B-Lab, a nonprofit organisation that aims to ensure companies’ high standards of ethical practices as they pertain to social and environmental standards, transparency and accountability for all shareholders.
Based in the United States but operating globally, the certification can be obtained by scoring at least 80 points during the B Impact Assessment as well as making legal commitments, such as stakeholder governance and other country-specific requirements, towards ethical practices.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
GOTS is a nonprofit organisation specialising in the textile industry and the fair and sustainable production of fabric. Largely granted to textile suppliers, GOTS ensures material quality through on-site inspections that assess and review any non-conformities.
The certification can apply to any part of the textile manufacturing process such as the weaving, knitting, spinning, trading or processing, overseeing social and environmental criteria like freedom of association, health and safety, the use of organic fibres and the evaluation of toxic chemicals.
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
WRAP is an organisation that works directly with factories and manufacturers rather than brands and companies to ensure the honouring of humane, lawful and ethical practices.
To obtain the WRAP certification, a facility must follow a set of 12 principles that include the prohibition of forced and child labour, fair compensations and benefits, the implementation of a healthy and safe work environment and compliance with environmental rules and standards.
Specialised in the production of cotton, wool, viscose and polyester, Textile Exchange aims to limit the industry’s carbon footprint by working with brands and retailers, suppliers and farmers in developing more ethical and sustainable practices.
With multiple standards awarded at different stages of the production process and carried out by a third-party body, the organisation has developed a comprehensive system to ensure its certifications’ integrity. Obtained by 800 brands such as Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Lacoste, Textile Exchange’s standards include the Organic Content Standard (OCS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Content Claim Standard (CCS).
Amid heavy debates around the use of faux leather and its legitimacy as an environmentally friendly alternative, organisations such as LWG are working to make the leather supply chain more sustainable. Operating in over 60 countries and working with 2,000 stakeholders, the UK-based non-profit covers all parts of the industry from retailers to raw materials suppliers.
With four different certifications — the Leather Manufacturer Standard, the Leather Trader Standards, the Commissioning Manufacturer Standards and the Subcontractor Standards — LWG exhaustively covers the sector’s manufacturing process and instils best practices.
Discover other nonprofit organisations and companies working towards sustainability in the fashion industry directly on The Glowth Academy.
Written by Valentine Fabre