Authentico® Integrity Scheme

The Authentico Integrity Scheme provides a guarantee to brands and consumers that wool, cashmere and other animal hair fibres are sourced from companies that uphold best practices, as defined by the Authentico Integrity Scheme and the relevant international standards. The Authentico Integrity Scheme is based on existing standards and legal regulations which are recognised by producers and animal breeders in their country and region. These standards are defined as best practice with regard to sustainability, and cover animal welfare, land and pasture management, social responsibility, transport and traceability.

You will find further information at: gschneider.com

B Corporation

B Corp Certification is awarded to companies that are committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Through an extensive assessment process, it measures corporate governance, employee rights, and impact on the environment, society and customers. B Corp Certification is awarded for the entire company and is not a direct certification of a product or service.

For more information visit bcorporation.net

BDIH / COSMOS Standard

The BDIH (Association of German Industries) label identifies certified natural and organic cosmetics. Certification is based on the internationally harmonised “COSMOS Standard”, which is the most important association of standard organisations for natural and organic cosmetics. The certified products can be recognised by the signatures “COSMOS Natural” and “COSMOS Organic”.

The manufacturers of the products that have been awarded BDIH certification label set the highest standards for modern, natural and particularly skin-friendly care in their product development. The careful handling of plant-based active and care substances and the consideration of the latest scientific findings stand for innovative, caring and protective products that make naturalness an experience every single day. Natural raw materials such as plant-based oils, fats and waxes, herbal extracts and flower waters or essential oils and aromas are used in the products. For COSMOS organic, these raw materials must come from controlled organic cultivation or controlled wild collection.

In addition to the careful selection of the plant-based raw materials used, the ecological compatibility of each product, i.e. environmentally friendly and resource-efficient manufacturing processes, the optimal degradability of raw materials and the economical use of recyclable packaging materials play an important role.

For more information visit ionc.info

bioRe®

The bioRe® brand stands for the world’s highest standards regarding organic cotton and fair trade. The brand is owned by the bioRe® Foundation. Remei AG is the exclusive licensee.

Textiles under the bioRe® Sustainable Textiles quality label are traceable back to the point of cultivation. The individual process steps along the entire transparent supply chain and compliance with the bioRe Sustainable Textile standard are strictly monitored using the bioRe® quality-assurance system and by independent external institutes.

The fair-traded cotton, which is awarded the bioRe® Sustainable Cotton quality label, comes from controlled organic cultivation by smallholder farmers in India and Tanzania. GMO-free seeds are used for organic cotton cultivation. 

For more information visit biore.ch

Blue Angel / Blauer Engel

The Blue Angel serves as a guide for making environmentally conscious purchases. It has been the official environmental seal of the German Federal Government since 1978. Independent and trustworthy, it certifies products and services that are environmentally friendly and safe for health from a holistic perspective. The evaluation takes the entire lifecycle of the product into account. For every product group, criteria have been defined that products and services, which are certified with the Blue Angel, must fulfil. To reflect the state of technical development, the Federal Environment Agency reviews the criteria every three to four years. This encourages companies to make their products more environmentally friendly.

You will find further information at: blauer-engel.de

The Blue Angel – Leather

The Blue Angel for leather is awarded to low-emission leather and certifies leather products that are manufactured in compliance with strict environmental standards and without hazardous chemicals throughout the production process. Leather products that are certified with the “Blue Angle – Leather” are therefore verifiably harmless to health.

The Blue Angel – Footwear and Insoles

The Blue Angel for footwear and insoles takes into account all the steps in the production process that are relevant to health and the environment. As well as the classic environmental requirements, this seal also considers social aspects, such as working conditions during production. 

bluesign® PRODUCT

Consumer goods bearing the bluesign® PRODUCT label meet the strict safety and environmental requirements of the bluesign® CRITERIA. These products are made of bluesign approved fabrics and accessories and are produced in a resource conserving way with minimum impact on people and the environment. 

For more information visit bluesign.com

Cradle to Cradle Certified™

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a label of the non-profit organisation Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. The aim is to promote an economic system without waste. This means that all materials used in a product can be recycled or biodegraded. The label distinguishes products that use environmentally safe materials that are not harmful to health and are recyclable, and that are manufactured in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. For each category, the product attains an achievement level: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

For more information visit c2ccertified.org

CSE (Certified Sustainable Economics)

CSE stands for Certified Sustainable Economics/Enterprise, and therefore audited sustainability in companies. 

Products marked with the CSE label come from companies whose sustainability performance has been audited. The basis for the assessment is the CSE standard, which specifies criteria for sustainable business practices. In contrast to existing individual environmental or social labels, CSE must comply with requirements from all three areas – ecology, social affairs and economics. In this sense, CSE stands for a comprehensive understanding of sustainability that pays equal attention to criteria such as human rights, resource conservation and ethical finance. 

For more information visit gfaw.eu/cse

DOWNPASS

The DOWNPASS standard applies to all down and feather products, as well as down and feather fillings in clothing, outdoor products and bedding. It aims to improve conditions for agriculturally farmed ducks and geese worldwide. Likewise, the standard aims to promote the responsible sourcing of down and feathers as a by-product of the meat industry. Down and feathers that are certified by the DOWNPASS standard are neither sourced from living animals nor from ducks and geese that are reared for the production of foie gras. In addition, the products can be traced back to the specific area where the animals are reared. As well as various animal welfare aspects, the DOWNPASS standard also assesses product quality in terms of consumer protection. Compliance with all the criteria is regularly checked by independent inspectors. 

You will find further information at: downpass.com

Ecocert

Ecocert certification is currently based on the COSMOS standard for organic or natural cosmetics and the Cosmetic Standard.
The COSMOS standard for organic or natural cosmetics generally stands for ingredients of natural origin, the promotion of organic ingredients, the avoidance of ingredients of petrochemical origin and the avoidance of ingredients of animal origin. The standard covers in detail all aspects of sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and control of cosmetic products. 

For more information visit cosmos-standard.org

Ecocert Cosmetics is a standard for environmentally friendly products, which guarantees the use of ingredients from renewable raw materials that are manufactured using environmentally friendly processes. Although this standard is currently still used by a large number of manufacturers, it is gradually being replaced by the COSMOS standard. 

For more information visit ecocert-imo.ch

EU Ecolabel

The European Ecolabel (EU Ecolabel or EU Flower for short) is a label of environmental excellence that is awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their lifecycle: from raw material extraction, to production, distribution and disposal. The EU Ecolabel was launched in 1992 by the European Commission and is intended to enable consumers to identify more environmentally friendly products and services. The EU Ecolabel is recognised in all 28 member states of the European Union, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

For more information visit eu-ecolabel.de

Fair Labour Association (FLA)

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is a coalition of companies, universities and non-governmental organizations that evaluates the social practices of member companies and ensures that these practices are implemented in the company's supply chain. Companies that join the FLA and their supplier operations must adopt and implement the FLA Code of Conduct. They must also guarantee monitoring to identify and remedy any violations of the FLA guidelines. Inspections are carried out by FLA-accredited, independent and external inspectors.

The FLA principles define essential practices at the company level to ensure safe and sustainable supply chains, respect for labor rights, and improvement of working conditions in manufacturing. All FLA standards are based on the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO Core Conventions) and internationally recognized good labor practices.

For more information visit fairlabor.org

Fair Trade USA®

Fair Trade USA® is a non-profit organisation and certifier of Fair Trade products. The label identifies products that promote sustainable livelihoods and safe working conditions, environmental protection and strong, transparent supply chains. For each product sold, a bonus is paid in the producing country into a development fund controlled by the producer. 

For more information visit fairtradecertified.org

Fairtrade Cotton Mark

The Fairtrade Cotton Mark indicates that a product is made with raw cotton that has been fairly produced and traded, which is directly traceable through all stages of production and separated from non-Fairtrade cotton during processing. The cotton used in textiles bearing this mark is 100% Fairtrade certified. 

Fairtrade provides smallholder cooperatives with more stable prices and long-term trading relationships. Farmers and plantation workers both receive an additional Fairtrade premium to invest in community projects. The standards also include criteria on democratic organisational structures, environmental protection and safe working conditions. Fairtrade certification is carried out by FLOCERT. 

For more information visit fairtrade-deutschland.de

Fair Wear Foundation

Fair Wear’s mission is to improve working conditions for the hundreds of thousands of workers involved in the production of garments for Fair Wear member companies. To achieve this, the organisation focuses on garment production, specifically sewing, cutting and trimming processes – the most labour-intensive parts of the supply chain. The foundation works with 130 member brands who are committed to finding a fairer way to make clothes. The organisation engages directly with factories, trade unions, NGOs and governments to find answers to problems others think are unsolvable. Together they’re stitching together new solutions across the supply chain to make fashion fair for everyone. 

For more information visit fairwear.org

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well. Quality assurance is carried out through independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

The standard covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. Yarns, fabrics, clothing, home textiles and further products made from textile fibres can be certified. The standard does not specify criteria for leather and fur products. 

For more information visit global-standard.org

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycle Standard (GRS) is a full international product standard and is one of the leading and most trusted certifications for products made from recycled material. Articles that are labelled with the GRS consist of at least 50% recycled materials. In addition, the GRS stands for compliance with high standards along the entire supply chain. The individual production processes are controlled independently, ensuring compliance with environmental management criteria, chemical restrictions and socially responsible manufacturing.

For more information visit textileexchange.org

We carry products with the seal: Grüner Knopf

The Green Button is a German government-run certification label for sustainable textiles. It demands that mandatory standards are met to protect people and the environment. A total of 46 stringent social and environmental criteria must be met – from the payment of minimum wages, compliance with working hours and the ban on child and forced labour to the prohibition of the use of hazardous chemicals and plasticisers as well as the stipulation of binding limits for wastewater in production. Independent inspection bodies monitor compliance with the criteria. The German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) ensures independent and credible testing.

For more information visit gruener-knopf.de

Leather Working Group

The Leather Working Group is a multi-stakeholder initiative with various participants from NGOs, industry, retail and scientific institutions. The aim of the Leather Working Group is to make conditions in leather tanneries and intermediaries more transparent and to improve them sustainably. This includes reducing energy and water consumption, as well as avoiding potentially critical substances in the entire leather production process. Its goals are implemented using an auditing protocol for sustainable and responsible leather production. The Group awards certifications in the form of bronze, silver and gold medals. A gold medal means that the manufacturer has been audited and received a minimum score of 85% in all assessment categories. 

You will find further information at: leatherworkinggroup.com

LENZING™ ECOVERO™

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibres are manufactured only from certified and controlled wood sources and produced with significantly lower fossil energy use and water than generic viscose. They are certified with the internationally recognised EU Ecolabel. This label of environmental excellence is only awarded to products and services which have a significantly lower environmental impact throughout their lifecycle: from raw material extraction to production, distribution and disposal. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres can be unquestionably identified in the final product.

For more information visit ecovero.com

MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®

MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® is a traceable product label for all kinds of textiles (e.g. garments, home textiles) and leather products (e.g. garments, finished and semi-finished leathers) including non-textile/non-leather components (e.g. accessories). The MADE IN GREEN label verifies that an article has been tested for harmful substances. This is carried out through certification in accordance with STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® or LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®. It also guarantees that the textile or leather product has been manufactured using sustainable processes under socially responsible working conditions. This is carried out through certification in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX®.  You can use a unique product ID on the label to trace the countries and production facilities in which the labelled article was produced. 

For more information visit oeko-tex.com

National Wool Declaration

The National Wool Declaration (NWD) was introduced in 2008 to inform consumers and buyers of Australian wool of certain animal welfare practices. The declaration is made voluntarily by Australian wool producers regarding their mulesing practices and the purity of their wool. This information is provided in sales catalogues, as well as on AWTA and AWEX certificates. Buyers of Australian wool can take this into account in their purchasing decisions. Mulesing-free wool bears the status NM (= Non Mulesed).

You will find further information at: awex.com

NATIVA™

NATIVA™ is a reference brand for wool fibres, created by Chargeurs Materials. The NATIVA™ protocol was developed to ensure the traceability, sustainability, social responsibility and animal welfare of wool production companies. The protocol certifies every step in the supply chain, from farm to consumer, and specifies requirements for animal welfare, environmentally friendly land management and socially responsible working conditions.

You will find further information at: nativapreciousfiber.com

NATRUE

NATRUE is a Brussels-based international non-profit association committed to promoting and protecting Natural and Organic Cosmetics worldwide. Founded in 2007, the aim of the association is to promote and protect natural and organic cosmetics for the benefit of consumers worldwide and to create awareness for natural cosmetics. The NATRUE label sets high standards of quality and performance to enable people worldwide to enjoy natural cosmetics that meet their expectations. Currently more than 6,700 products from more than 300 brands carry the NATRUE label.

For more information visit natrue.org

NATURLEDER IVN zertifiziert

The IVN Naturleder standard is regulated by the International Association of Natural Textiles (IVN). The goal of the standard is to ensure the sustainable production of leather goods. The IVN documents the entire supply chain according to social and environmental aspects. This includes requirements for the avoidance of chemicals in the production process, the obligatory use of organic materials, the responsible disposal and recyclability of leather and compliance with social standards. The “IVN Naturleder” standard is relatively stringent, as it takes into account both social and ecological criteria.

You will find further information at: naturtextil.de

NATURTEXTIL IVN certified BEST

Since 2000, NATURTEXTIL IVN certified BEST incorporates the guidelines for sustainable textiles on the basis of definitions of ecology and social accountability formulated by the International Association of Natural Textiles (IVN e.V.), applied to the entire textile production chain. Because this represents the highest currently achievable level of production, it is logical that only a limited number of products can meet them.

This quality standard, known primarily within Europe, currently defines the highest level of textile sustainability by applying the maximum currently achievable parameters to production and product.

For more information visit naturtextil.com

NewMerino®

NewMerino® is an independent brand founded in 2006, which certifies wool from Australian Merino sheep. In order to be awarded the NewMerino® certification, suppliers must meet certain animal husbandry and welfare standards, produce evaluation protocols and comply with a strict code of conduct in the shearing of their sheep. The NewMerino® standard is not limited to animals but goes one step further: it also takes into account the land, water, trees, native species and the farming families who work with them. Wool that is certified with the seal is mulesing-free.

You will find further information at: newmerino.com

Organic Content Standard (OCS) 100

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) 100 is a standard for tracking and verifying the content of organically grown materials in a final product. It covers the entire manufacturing process – each partner in the supply chain is verified by an accredited third-party certification body, this allows for transparent, consistent and comprehensive independent evaluation and verification. Products with this certificate contain at least 95% organic material. The certificate does not cover environmental aspects of processing, such as the use of chemicals or the production conditions.

For more information visit textileexchange.org

Organic Content Standard "organic blended"

The "OCS blended" seal is awarded by the non-profit organization Textile Exchange. The seal tracks the percentage of certified organic materials in the final product from the fields to the final product. The "OCS blended" logo is used for products that contain at least 5% certified organic material in combination with conventional natural and / or synthetic source materials. At Breuninger, items with this seal are only listed as sustainable if they contain at least 50% certified organic natural fibers. In summary, the standard thus enables the content and quantity of certified organic material in an end product to be recorded and the raw material to be tracked from source to end product. Certification is carried out by independent third parties.

For more information, visit textileexchange.org

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

PEFC is the largest institution for ensuring sustainable forest management by an independent certification system. Wood and wood products with the PEFC label are certified as originating from forests managed in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable manner. 

PEFC Germany was founded in 1999 as a registered association and develops the standards and procedures of certification, provides information to the public and grants the rights to the PEFC logo in Germany. PEFC is the most important forest certification system in Germany: with 7.5 million hectares of certified forest area, around two-thirds of German forests are already PEFC-certified.

Forest certification according to PEFC standards is based on the very strict guidelines for the sustainable management of forests. This management is controlled by competent and independent organisations. If a product made of wood bears the PEFC label then this means that the entire production – from the raw material to the ready-to-use end product – is certified, transparent and has been verified by independent experts. 

For more information visit pefc.org

PETA-Approved Vegan

The animal welfare organisation PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) advocates animal rights, promotes a vegan diet and opposes animal testing worldwide. As part of this work, it introduced the PETA-Approved Vegan label, which allows consumers to identify products manufactured without animal ingredients or animal suffering.

You will find further information at: peta.de/petaapprovedvegan

Responsible Alpaca Standard

The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) is a voluntarily animal welfare standard that is promoted internationally by the Textile Exchange. It concerns the welfare of alpacas, the ecological use of pasture land and socially responsible production conditions. The RAS ensures that alpaca fibres are sourced exclusively from farms that can demonstrate advanced ecologically and socially responsible production conditions as well as the comprehensive welfare of their alpacas – in accordance with the Five Freedoms. Compliance with these guidelines is reviewed by independent institutions.

You will find further information at: textileexchange.org

Responsible Down Standard

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is promoted internationally by the Textile Exchange and aims to completely eliminate animal suffering in the production of down. The standard covers the entire supply chain – including farms, transport, abattoirs, down producers and textile factories. It aims to ensure that down and feathers are only sourced from animals that are humanely treated and do not experience any unnecessary pain, suffering or stress throughout the entire production process. Products may only bear the RDS logo if 100% of the down and feathers they contain meet the defined criteria. Compliance with these guidelines is reviewed by independent institutions.

You will find further information at: textileexchange.org

Responsible Mohair Standard

The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) certifies mohair (= hair from Angora goats) that has been produced under humane conditions and in harmony with the environment. Certification in accordance with the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) applies to the entire supply chain: from the farm and processing of the mohair as well as manufacture of the end products, all the way to the seller. Certification with the RMS ensures that animal welfare standards have been met and that animals are healthy, well-fed and treated humanely. Independent certifying bodies regularly check compliance with the criteria.

You will find further information at: textileexchange.org

Responsible Wool Standard

The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is an animal welfare standard for sheep, internationally promoted by the charitable organisation Textile Exchange. The RWS focuses on animal welfare, full transparency and traceability in the supply chain and protection of the ground on which the animals graze. The standard was created to establish a global benchmark for the rearing of sheep and for animal welfare. In addition, the standard aims to increase transparency in the global supply chain of wool production and assist farmers with the management of sheep farms. Products certified by this standard are mulesing-free. 

You will find further information at: textileexchange.org

Sustainable Apparel Coalition

More than 250 leading companies in the clothing, footwear and textile industry as well as NGOs, charitable organisations and academic institutions have joined forces in the industry-wide Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to advocate social justice in the supply chain and reduce the environmental impact of products. The goal of the SAC is to implement a shared vision of sustainability in the industry, based on a collective approach to measuring and evaluating the sustainability of clothing, footwear and textiles. Following evaluation, companies receive suggestions for courses of action and options for technological innovation. In 2011, the SAC introduced the pioneering Higg Index tool for this purpose, which was outsourced to Higg in 2019. 

You will find further information at: apparelcoalition.org

Sustainable Cashmere Standard

The Sustainable Cashmere Standard was developed in 2015 by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) as the world’s first comprehensive sustainability standard for cashmere. It is based on extensive research and consultations with goat herding associations, industry experts, conservationists and national governments. The Sustainable Cashmere Standard specifies requirements for the welfare of goats according to the Five Freedoms, the environmental impact of goat rearing and the social welfare of the goatherds. It also promotes transparency in the supply chain. 

You will find further information at: sustainablefibre.org

SustainaWOOL™Integrity Scheme

The SustainaWOOL™ Integrity Scheme is managed by Australian Wool Exchange Ltd (AWEX), an independent, non-profit industry association. The scheme advocates improved animal health and welfare practices as well as better environmental management of Australian wool production, and ensures traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain. The SustainaWool standard is classified by the categories GOLD, GREEN and BLUE. Products certified in GOLD or GREEN are mulesing-free. 

You will find further information at: sustainawool.com

TENCEL™

TENCEL™ is Lenzing’s premium textile brand for a wide range of special applications. TENCEL™ fibres help to maintain the environmental balance by being integrated into nature’s cycle. The fibres originate from the renewable raw material wood, created by photosynthesis. The certified biobased fibres are then manufactured using an environmentally responsible production process. Composed of natural materials, TENCEL™ fibres are certified as compostable and biodegradable, and can fully revert back to nature.

For more information visit tencel.com

The Good Cashmere Standard®

The Good Cashmere Standard® was developed in collaboration with animal welfare specialists and industry experts as an independent standard for sustainable cashmere by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF). The standard aims to improve the living conditions of cashmere goats in accordance with the Five Freedoms, as well as to improve the economic, social and ecological conditions of cashmere farmers, their families and their communities in Inner Mongolia. Cashmere farms are certified only when they meet the strictly defined criteria. Compliance with these criteria is checked by independent inspectors at regular intervals.

You will find further information at: thegoodcashmerestandard.org

Traceable Down Standard

The Traceable Down Standard (TDS) was developed in collaboration with the outdoor brand Patagonia, animal welfare organisations, industry interest groups and other NGOs, and launched by NSF International in 2015. The standard aims to ensure sustainable down production and covers the entire supply chain. It is currently the most stringent animal welfare standard in the down industry. Down and feathers that are certified by the TDS must not be sourced from animals that are force-fed or live-plucked. The inspections not only apply to the period between rearing and slaughter, the living conditions of the parent animal are also taken into account. The certification is awarded annually and reviewed at regular intervals by independent certifying bodies. 

You will find further information at: nsf.org

Wools of New Zealand

Wools of New Zealand is an international organisation that distributes high-quality wool from New Zealand. The brand Wools of New Zealand is a registered trademark. Products that bear this seal are subject to strict quality controls. Only textile products that are made of at least 60% Wools of New Zealand wool are awarded this hallmark. Wools of New Zealand guarantees that wool can be traced to its place of origin. The certified wool is sourced from farms that comply with the highest standards in animal welfare and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

You will find further information at: woolsnz.com

World Fairtrade Organization (WFTO)

The WFTO Fair Trade Standard is awarded by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). WFTO brings together more than 400 fair trade organisations and is thus a membership organisation. Companies that are awarded the WFTO product label are committed to improving the living and working conditions of producers in developing countries. WFTO grant accreditation to Fair Trade Organisations who fully comply with the Ten Principles of Fair Trade. Only companies that successfully pass the verification system are allowed to label their products with the WFTO Guaranteed Fair Trade label. 

For more information visit wfto.com

ZQ Standard

The ZQ Merino Standard is regulated by New Zealand Merino Company (NZM), a non-profit organisation. This animal welfare standard applies to Merino wool and ensures compliance with the highest international standards in animal welfare, sustainability, environmental protection and social responsibility along the entire production chain. In addition, it guarantees that the wool is mulesing-free and complies with precise conditions regarding the use of medication and that shearing practices conform to strict specifications. Compliance with the requirements is ensured by regular assessments, performed by certified, independent inspectors.

You will find further information at: discoverzq.com