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5 Leading Eco-Friendly Labels Transforming Fashion

Updated: May 27, 2024

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 logo
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. 

Fairtrade logo
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. 

OEKO TEX logo
Oeko-Tex

With over 21,000 companies working with this organisation and more than 48,000 certifications and labels, Oeko-Tex is one of the most renowned sustainable logos in the textile industry. This organisation operates in 70 countries and has 97 offices worldwide. 

Oeko-Tex offers several different certifications, such as the Made in Green logo. This label is given to textile and leather goods manufactured sustainably while ensuring ethical work conditions. All Made in Green products are tested to ensure no harmful substances are used in their manufacturing processes, and factories must demonstrate that they have effective wastewater systems. Another famous Oeko-Tex logo is the Standard 100. Products with this label are 100% safe for human health and are tested against a list of over 1000 harmful substances. 

Lastly, the Eco Passport logo ensures no environmentally friendly chemicals and colourants are used in manufacturing processes, while the Organic Cotton logo supports sustainability, regenerative farming techniques, and soil health. Companies can apply for the Made in Green label, one of the most popular logos by Oeko-Tex, free of cost through the organisation's official website. The label is often issued within a few days, provided that all the standards and conditions are fulfilled. 

Bluesign

Bluesign works with brands, retailers, and manufacturers to move towards a more environmentally friendly future. Their main goal is to eliminate harmful substances from the very first phases of the textile supply chain to minimise the negative impact of these substances on people working in this field and our ecosystems. In addition, Bluesign brings transparency to brands' value chains, helping them reduce their environmental impact while building client trust. But how does it all work?
This organisation helps companies actively measure, monitor, and report the environmental impact of their supply chain. This helps brands evaluate their performance against their inner goals while also supporting them in creating an annual impact report on their sustainability practices and status, with detailed data regarding water, energy, and chemical consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste.
Brands wanting to obtain the Bluesign logo can directly contact this organisation to obtain a full report on the environmental impact of their supply chain.

Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to Cradle is one of the main certifications in the textile industry promoting circular economy. Brands wanting to obtain this logo for their products must follow five main criteria. First, they must ensure that all materials used in their supply chain are safe for humans and the environment. Second, they must implement circular economy practices. Third, they must demonstrate they positively impact global air quality. Fourth, they must protect soil fertility and health while safeguarding water. Fifth, they must provide safe and fair working conditions to all their employees. 
Cradle to Cradle has already certified over 34,000 products, including building materials, furniture, cosmetics, cleaning products, as well as textiles and apparel.
All products meeting the Cradle to Cradle criteria can be certified based on four levels of achievement: platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. Recertification is required every four years, and companies must keep up with the latest organisation's standards to keep their logos. Brands wishing to get certified can start their application directly on the organisation's website.

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