Certificate Explanations
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with companies and factories to improve labour conditions for garment workers.
FWF’s 90 member companies represent over 120 brands, and are based in seven European countries; member products are sold in over 20,000 retail outlets in more than 80 countries around the world. FWF is active in 11 production countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.
FWF keeps track of the improvements made by the companies it works with. And through sharing expertise, social dialogue and strengthening industrial relations, FWF increases the effectiveness of the efforts made by companies.
Their mission is to impove labour conditions in the garment industry.
source: www.fairwear.org
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well.
Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibres can become GOTS certified. All chemical inputs such as dyestuffs and auxiliaries used must meet certain environmental and toxicological criteria. The choice of accessories is limited in accordance with ecological aspects as well. A functional waste water treatment plant is mandatory for any wet-processing unit involved and all processors must comply with minimum social criteria. The key criteria of GOTS, its quality assurance system and the principles of the review and revision procedure are summarised in this section.
source: www.global-standard.org
The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. Examples for items eligible for certification: Raw and dyed/finished yarns, raw and dyed/finished fabrics and knits, ready-made articles (all types of clothing, domestic and household textiles, bed linen, terry cloth items, textile toys and more).
Testing for harmful substances includes:
illegal substances
legally regulated substances
known harmful (but not legally regulated) chemicals
as well as parameters for health care
In their entirety the requirements clearly exceed existing national legislation.
OEKO-TEX® testing for harmful substances always focus on the actual use of the textile. The more intensive the skin contact of a product, the stricter the human ecological requirements to be met.
source: www.oeko-tex.com
OCS 100 logo is used only for porducts that contain 95 % or more organic material.
OCS Blended logo is used for products that contain 5 % minimum of organic material blended with conventional or synthetic raw materials.
OCS standard has been created by Textile Exchange.
Textile Exchange is charitable organization committed to expanding organic agriculture.
The organization was established in 2003 under the original name of Organic Exchange, in
2010 it became Textile Exchange.
In 2004 Organic Exchange developed the OE 100 and OE blended standards to verify the
organic cotton claims on textile products. The standards set up a system for tracking and
documenting the purchase, handling and use of certified organic cotton fiber. Since then
there has been a need for a broader organic standard that would support content claims
for all organic inputs. To meet this need, Textile Exchange has developed the Organic
Content Standard (OCS), based on the generic chain of custody requirements of the
Content Claim Standard (CCS).
source: www.ecocert.com
REACH is the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007. It streamlines and improves the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union (EU).
The main aims of REACH are to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, the promotion of alternative test methods, the free circulation of substances on the internal market and enhancing competitiveness and innovation.
REACH makes industry responsible for assessing and managing the risks posed by chemicals and providing appropriate safety information to their users. In parallel, the European Union can take additional measures on highly dangerous substances, where there is a need for complementing action at EU level.
source: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/chemicals/reach/index_en.htm
Soil Association Certification Limited is the wholly owned subsidiary of the Soil Association. Over 70% of all organic products now sold in the UK carry the Soil Association symbol. We are the UK’s largest organic certification body. Our team of certification officers, technical staff and inspectors are experienced and dedicated. Working nationally and internationally, we provide unrivalled support, before, during and after certification.
The Soil Association’s organic standards are more exacting than those set by either EU or UK authorities. These standards put our principles into action, and are based on respect and integrity - not profit.
Financial surplus from certification work is ploughed back into developing the organic movement - and its market, through our owning body Soil Association.
Our long-standing expertise is just one of the things that sets us apart from other certification bodies. We have been certifying product since 1973 and we are able to offer our licensees an unrivalled service, technical knowledge and guidance through - and beyond - the certification process.
With our symbol on your packaging, you are sending a clear message to consumers that your products meet a strict set of organic standards.
Source: www.soilassociation.org
Carbon Trust
Our mission is to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy. To have real impact we act as a catalyst, making the case for change to businesses, governments and civil society worldwide.
By stimulating resource efficient and low carbon action we contribute to green goals, including the lowering of carbon emissions, the development of low carbon businesses, increased energy security and job creation. Our experts, drawn from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, can help your organisation tackle climate change by reducing your carbon emissions and identifying growth and revenue opportunities through resource reduction initiatives, cost-saving strategies and the adoption of resource-efficient technologies.
source: www.carbontrust.com