What is the difference between GOTS and OEKO-TEX?

GOTS evaluates the entire supply chain from organic fibers to processing, while OEKO-TEX mainly checks whether textiles are free from harmful chemicals.

Which certification is the most important for sustainable fashion?

No single certification covers all aspects. Only the combination of several labels shows how sustainable a product really is.

Is one certificate enough to call clothing sustainable?

No. Sustainability includes environmental impact, social standards, and material cycles. A single label usually represents only one part of the bigger picture.

Are vegan labels automatically sustainable?

Not necessarily. Vegan products may contain synthetic materials. Sustainability also depends on environmental and production standards.

Why do some sustainable brands not carry certifications?

Certifications can be expensive and complex. Smaller brands often work transparently and sustainably but avoid official labels due to costs.

In today’s world, where awareness of the environment and sustainability is increasingly taking centre stage, choosing sustainable clothing is crucial. But how can you tell whether clothing is truly sustainable? One way is to check certifications and seals used by brands and manufacturers. In our online shop for “Sustainable and fair fashion”, we place great value on transparency and sustainability. That’s why, in this article, I’d like to introduce the different certifications and seals used by the brands in our assortment.

What is a clothing label?

A clothing label is a certificate or award attached to garments to indicate the sustainability and ethics of their production. These seals are issued by independent organisations to ensure that certain standards regarding environmental friendliness, social responsibility and quality are met.

They serve as a guide for consumers looking for sustainable clothing, making it easier to make conscious choices and select products that match their ethical and ecological values.

When are textiles sustainable?

Textiles are considered sustainable when they are produced in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way at every stage of their lifecycle. This means the raw materials, production, distribution and disposal do not have negative impacts on the environment or working conditions.

Sustainable textiles are made from organically grown materials or contain recycled components. Production follows strict environmental requirements that minimise the use of harmful chemicals. In addition, fair wages and safe working conditions for workers throughout the supply chain are ensured.

Certifications

Below, we’ll take a closer look at various certifications and seals for sustainable fashion and describe their characteristics:

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard

The Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS for short, is one of the best-known certifications for sustainable textiles. It sets strict requirements for ecological and social sustainability across the entire supply chain. Products carrying this seal are made from at least 95% organically produced fibres and meet high environmental and social standards.

Bluesign

bluesign

The Bluesign certification focuses on environmentally friendly textile production. It tests and monitors the use of chemicals and materials in manufacturing to ensure they are eco-friendly and do not have harmful effects on people or nature.

Grüner Knopf

The Green Button - the government seal for sustainable textiles

Grüner Knopf (The Green Button) is the world’s first government-run seal for sustainable textiles. It covers aspects such as social responsibility, environmental protection and fair working conditions. Products with this seal are demonstrably sustainable and ethically produced.

Global Recycle Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycle Standard is a certification for products containing recycled materials. It ensures recycled materials are used in production, helping reduce waste and resource consumption.

Fair Wear Foundation

The Fair Wear Foundation works to improve working conditions in the textile industry. Products from brands that are members of this foundation are generally produced ethically and fairly.

Cradle to Cradle

The Cradle to Cradle certification focuses on product sustainability across the entire lifecycle. It emphasises reusability of materials and minimising waste.

OEKO-TEX

$OEKO-TEX®$

The OEKO-TEX seal focuses on textile safety regarding harmful chemicals. Products carrying this seal have been tested for harmful substances and classified as safe.

PETA - Approved Vegan

This seal guarantees that a product is free from animal-derived components and cruelty in production. Ideal for vegans and animal lovers.

Organic Blended

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) Organic Blended

The Organic Blended seal labels products that contain both organic and conventional materials. It’s an option for sustainable products that aren’t 100% organic.

Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

The Responsible Wool Standard focuses on sustainable wool production and ensures animal welfare and environmental impacts are taken into account.

How can you tell if clothing is sustainable?

The wide range of certifications and seals above makes it easier for consumers to identify sustainable clothing. If you’re looking for sustainable clothing, pay attention to the following:

Look for seals: Check labels or product descriptions for the certifications and seals listed above. They’re a clear indication that the brand is committed to sustainability.
Materials: High-quality sustainable clothing is often made from organic or recycled materials. Look for notes such as “organic cotton” or “recycled polyester”.
Transparency: Learn about the brand and its production practices. Brands committed to sustainability are often transparent about their supply chain and production processes.
Certificates and reports: Check the brand’s website for more information about certifications and sustainability reports. This can give you insight into their efforts.

In our online shop for “Sustainable and fair fashion”, we place great value on certifications and seals to ensure the sustainability and ethics of our products. These seals are important tools for recognising sustainable clothing and making conscious purchasing decisions.

However, it’s also your responsibility to learn about these seals and decide which matter most to you. There is no single definition of sustainability, and priorities can differ. That’s why I encourage you to explore the values and practices of brands and make purchasing decisions accordingly.

In our category Sustainable and fair fashion you’ll find a wide selection of products that follow the principles of sustainability and use these certifications and seals. Brands like ARMEDANGELS and Thinking Mu are just a few examples of manufacturers committed to sustainable and ethical fashion production.

I hope this article has helped expand your knowledge about certifications and seals for sustainable fashion and supported you in choosing sustainable clothing. The future of the fashion industry lies in sustainable practices — and it’s in our hands to support and drive this change forward.

Shop sustainable and fair fashion now and help create a better future for our planet and the people who live on it.