If you're about to launch your unique clothing line, you're probably looking for the best fabric to fit your designs. Denim, linen, and wool all have different properties and may work or not on your pieces depending on several factors. However, there is a type of material that guarantees to boost your sales. We're talking about sustainable fabrics. Opting for materials certified by reputable sustainable organisations is always synonymous with success. But what are some of the most famous textile certifications currently on the market to level up your clothing lines? Here are five of the most renowned worldwide.
Better Cotton Initiative
Better Cotton Initiative has been promoting sustainable farming practices for over ten years. Opting for sustainable cotton is fundamental as this crop is incredibly harmful to our environment. In particular, we currently need 10,000 litres of water to produce a kg of this material (The World Count, 2024). But this is not all. Cotton production is also associated with soil degradation and heavy use of toxic fertilisers and pesticides.
According to data published by the Better Cotton Initiative, a fifth of the world's cotton is already produced under the Better Cotton Standard, an incredible achievement for an organisation founded only a decade ago.
Retailers and brand members using this logo have committed to sourcing at least 10% of their cotton from Better Cotton certified crops and to increase this percentage to 50% within five years. But what makes ordinary cotton 'Better'? For cotton to earn this logo, plantations must follow several criteria established by the Better Cotton Initiative. Some of these include implementing regenerative practices to boost soil fertility, non-chemical pest control techniques, and safe and fair working conditions for all employees.
Fair Trade
You may see the Fairtrade logo on all sorts of products, from food to flowers, plants and even sports balls. This certification ensures employees receive fair treatment, something crucial, especially in the apparel industry, where workers' exploitation is often the norm. With over 2 million farmers and workers involved with this organisation worldwide in over 100 countries, Fairtrade remains the most recognised ethical label in the world.
The Fairtrade Textile Standard requires companies to pay fair salaries to all their workers while monitoring their working hours to avoid exploitation. This logo also comes with strict requirements ensuring workers have freedom of association, training courses to inform them of their rights, as well as democratic representation.
Last but not least, companies must demonstrate their workspaces' safety, protective equipment use, and safe handling practices regarding toxic chemicals to obtain the Fairtrade logo on their products. As of today, Fairtrade has certified over 37,000 products worldwide. If you want your textiles to be one of these, you can submit your application to FLOCERT, a third-party organisation ensuring your supply chain meets Fairtrade standards. You can start the process from Fairtrade's official website. The costs depend on the products that need to be certified.
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