Understanding Textile Certifications: What Do They Really Tell You?

Sustainability
Written By Guest User

Sustainable, organic, fairly traded, socially responsible… it's easy to get lost in a sea of certifications.

One of the biggest misconceptions in sustainability is that people ask: "Is this certification good?" when they should really ask:

"What part of the product's life cycle does this certification evaluate?"

Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA for short, is a method for evaluating a product's environmental impact throughout its journey. No certificate can provide a complete LCA assessment; instead, each focuses on a specific stage in that life cycle. For example:

  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 focuses on the finished product, verifying that it meets strict limits for harmful substances.

  • OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN focuses on manufacturing, evaluating responsible production practices while also providing product traceability through the supply chain.

  • GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD (GRS) focuses on raw materials and manufacturing, verifying certified recycled content and responsible processing throughout production.

Certifications are an essential part of the textile industry. Just remember that they only tell a part of the story, not all of it.

Guest User
Next

Myth: If it's Made from Bamboo, it's Sustainable