FSC labels can be found on millions of products around the world from toilet rolls to your favourite book, to that milk carton in your fridge, and other food products. What does the label mean? Simply put by choosing products with FSC labels, you are helping to take care of the world’s forests. For a product to carry an FSC label, every company involved in its production, manufacturing, processing and trading must have an FSC Chain of Custody Certification.
BCORP CERTIFICATION
The B Corp Certification is a legal designation used by a business that shows a high level of social and environmental performance. In other words: it’s today’s seal of approval for the brands that are excelling in making a sustainable and ethical impact.
To apply, a business must answer 300 questions that span labour, environmental impact, ethics and governance, social initiatives, and what their goalposts are for the next few years. If a brand reaches 80 or above then they’re B Corp Certified – but any lower and they miss the mark. Out of 100,000 applicants, only 4,600 have managed to reach 80, which gives you some estimate of how challenging this assessment is.
THE GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognized as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. Not only does it ensure that the plants are grown organically, it also requires environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing.
EU ECOLABEL
The EU Ecolabel certifies products with a guaranteed, independently-verified low environmental impact. To be awarded the EU Ecolabel, goods and services should meet high environmental standards throughout their entire life cycle: from raw material extraction through production and distribution to disposal. The label also encourages companies to develop innovative products that are durable, easy to repair and recyclable.
CRADLE TO CRADLE
Cradle To Cradle Certified is the global standard for products that are safe, circular and responsibly made. For more than a decade, Cradle to Cradle Certified has been helping companies to innovate and optimize materials and products according to the world’s most advanced science-based measures.
OEKO-TEX
If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of this article, i.e. every thread, button, and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the article, therefore, is harmless for human health.