Six sustainable fashion certifications to protect people and the planet

RESPONSIBLE FASHION IS A DIFFICULT NOTION TO APPREHEND! BETWEEN THE PRODUCTION OF MATERIALS, THE IMPLICATION OF CHEMICALS COMPONENTS, THE WAGES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND MANY OTHER FACTORS, DETERMINING IF A GARMENT WE'D LIKE TO BUY IS INDEED GENTLE WITH THE PLANET AND ITS INHABITANTS CAN BE COMPLICATED. THANKFULLY, RELIABLE CERTIFICATIONS CAN TAKE A LOT OF THIS MENTAL LOAD AWAY BY GUARANTEEING CERTAIN LEVELS OF SUSTAINABILITY. STILBAAR LISTED SEVEN OF THEM TO HELP YOU CHOOSE BRANDS THAT SUPPORT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR WELLBEING.

Fairtrade - a focus on the social side
Fairtrade focuses on social issues, ensuring (literally) fair trade and fair prices for workers. This famous certification not only applies to fashion but also impacts the food industry worldwide!

Responsible Wool Standard for happy sheep
As we already told you in this article, wool is a great natural material, thermo-insulant and sustainable. But it is really advised to buy certified wool, notable with RWS, because this ensures sheep's fair treatment and does not graze too intensively on the same spot to preserve natural ecosystems.

Global Recycled Standard, a circular guarantee
Because recycling is such an opaque practice, GRS is here to help us. It certifies products that count 20% or more per cent recycled materials in their composition, which sure isn’t that much, but also guarantees traceability in the materials’ origins and ethical production.

Forest Stewardship Council for the protection of our trees
Forests are an essential part of our planet’s biodiversity, and trees can provide useful, sustainable materials for fashion. But! They must be used gently and not overexploited at the risk of destroying precious ecosystems. The Forest Stewardship Council is here for that by ensuring reasonable use of forests in supply chains.

We talked about the concept of Peace Silk in a previous article, and it is important to keep in mind that the natural fabrics that sustainable luxury items are produced should not hurt and affect the well-being of the animals that provide the raw materials. 

 

Of course, not every sustainable brand uses certified materials as they can turn out to be too expensive for small businesses. But they can be a useful tool if you do not have the time to do much research! We hope this list will help you during your next shopping session.