CERTIFICATIONS

All these abbreviations, but what do they stand for?
Read on for brief explanations with links to further external reading.

GOTS
OEKO-TEX®
BCI
FSC®

GOTS is The Global Organic Textile Standards, a worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. Using a defined set of criteria, they can ensure products have been made ethically, sustainably and fairly across the entire supply chain.

Here is a brief look at what measures GOTS have in place for the welfare of all, in comparison to a conventional supply chain:

Conventional	GOTS certified
In conventional cotton farming, 77 million agricultural workers suffer poisoning from pesticides each year.	In GOTS certified cotton farming, hazardous pesticides are banned in organic cotton production, making it safer for growers.
There are no mandatory checks at conventional factories which produce clothes for high-street brands.	All factories are regularly inspected and certified to strict social criteria, meaning no forced labour and no child labour.
The use of toxic dyes and processing substances is widespread, including chemicals banned in the EU. Greenpeace found local waterways polluted by hazardous and persistent hormone-disrupting chemicals.	The use of hazardous chemicals is prohibited, and all waste water is treated, protecting workers and their water supplies. All chemicals must meet strict toxicity and biodegradability rules.
Tests on clothes revealed traces of toxic dyes, which could be absorbed through the skin.	Allergenic, carcinogenic or toxic chemical residues are not allowed in GOTS certified clothes.

Information from: https://global-standard.org/images/resource-library/documents/GOTS-flyers/GOTS_Flyer_FieldToFashion_RGB_EN.pdf
Visit the GOTS website for more in-depth information about the standard at: https://global-standard.org

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OEKO-TEX® consists of 18 independent research and test institutes in the field of textile and leather ecology in Europe and Japan.
The independent OEKO-TEX® partner institutes are entitled to conduct appropriate laboratory tests or company audits in accordance with worldwide standardised guidelines. These comprehensive product and process tests guarantee risk management, consumer and environmental protection, as well as legal conformity.

STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is one of the world's best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances. You can be certain that every component, i.e. every thread, button, and other accessories, have been tested for harmful substances and that the article is therefore harmless for human health.

In many cases the limit values for the STANDARD 100 go beyond national and international requirements. The criteria catalog is updated at least once a year and expanded with new scientific knowledge or statutory requirements. It is not easy for manufacturers and customers to keep an overview of the legal situation concerning harmful substances every day. Experts from the OEKO-TEX® institutes do this for you.

Continue reading at https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/standard-100-by-oeko-tex
Find out more about OEKO-TEX® at https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/

BCI The Better Cotton Initiative is a global not-for-profit organisation, the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world: environmentally, socially and economically.

The Better Cotton standard is a holistic approach to more sustainable cotton production. Licensed BCI Farmers produce cotton in a way that cares for the environment; minimising the negative effects of fertilisers and pesticides; and caring for water, soil health and natural habitats. This is what is referred to as ‘Better Cotton’. BCI Farmers also commit to decent work principles – conditions that support workers’ safety and wellbeing.

Through BCI and its Partners, farmers receive training on how to use water efficiently, care for the health of the soil and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and apply decent work principles. BCI Farmers implementing this system are licensed to sell Better Cotton.

Unfortunately, child labour remains a challenge in some countries, particularly when families are struggling to make ends meet. The welfare of children and workers is always of paramount importance – forced and child labour on cotton farms is unacceptable to BCI. If either is discovered where Better Cotton is produced, it is considered an incidence of non-compliance with BCI’s standard and is dealt with immediately. BCI support farmers by helping them to understand and respect national legal requirements, as well as the fundamental, interrelated International Labour Organisation conventions on respecting the minimum age for young workers (C138) and avoiding the ‘worst forms of child labour’ (C182). BCI does not operate in countries where forced labour is orchestrated by the government.

Learn more about the BCI at https://bettercotton.org

FSC® The Forestry Stewardship Council is a voluntary certification scheme that sets out best practices for forest management worldwide. By becoming FSC certified, forest owners and managers demonstrate that they are managing their forests responsibly.

The leading catalyst and defining force for improved forest management and market transformation, shifting the global forest trend toward sustainable use, conservation, restoration, and respect for all.

To achieve their mission and vision of meeting the social, ecological, and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations, FSC has developed a set of ten principles and 70 criteria that apply to FSC-certified forests around the world:
1: Compliance with laws
2: Workers' rights and employment conditions
3: Indigenous peoples' rights
4: Community relations
5: Benefits from the forest
6: Environmental values and impact
7: Management planning
8: Monitoring and assessment
9: High conservations values
10: Implementation of management activities

Learn more about the FSC at https://fsc.org/en

Sources:

BCI (2021) About BCI. Available at: https://bettercotton.org/about-bci/ (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
BCI (2021) Better Cotton Standard System. Available at: https://bettercotton.org/better-cotton-standard-system/ (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
BCI (2021) Task Force on Forced Labour and Decent Work. Available at: https://bettercotton.org/task-force-on-forced-labour-and-decent-work/ (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
FSC (2021) About FSC. Available at: https://fsc.org/en/about-us (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
GOTS (2021) Certification and Labelling. Available at: https://global-standard.org/certification-and-labelling (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
GOTS (2021) Compare: From Field to Fashion. Available at:https://global-standard.org/images/resource-library/documents/GOTS-flyers/GOTS_Flyer_FieldToFashion_RGB_EN.pdf (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
GOTS (2021) Resource Library. Available at: https://global-standard.org/resource-library (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
GOTS (2021) The Standard. Available at: https://global-standard.org/the-standard (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
OEKO-TEX (2021) About Us. Available at: https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/about-us (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)
OEKO-TEX (2021) Our standards: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex. Available at: https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/standard-100-by-oeko-tex (Accessed 04 Feb 2021)