Textile Certification, a brief overview

The Fairtrade organization guarantees the payment of a stable and fair price to cotton farmers for their cotton never under the market price that allow them to cover their production costs.
The fair trade premium is used to improve living and working conditions of their cooperative. The Fairtrade organizations supervise and verifie these community projects. For more infos see http://www.fairtrade.net

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile  processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. www.global-standard.org

The Textile Exchange, formerly known as The Organic Exchange, is a non-profit business organization focused on facilitating the growth of a global organic cotton industry. The members of the Organic Exchange, including Coop, Hess Natur, Hanes, Okarma, Anvil have decided to integrate organic cotton into their product offerings.
www.organicexchange.org

Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is a European initiative, which strives for fair  working conditions in the garment industry worldwide. FWF verifies effective implementation of the code of conduct by its member companies and their
suppliers.
The member companies commit themselves to respecting the following labour standards:
• Employment is freely chosen
• No discrimination in employment
• No exploitation of child labour
• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
• Payment of a living wage
• No excessive working hours
• Safe and healthy working conditions
• Legally binding employment relationship
By the end of 2010, there will be 65 companies as members of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), amongst others Switcher, B&C, Continental Clothing, Earthpositive, Stanley & Stella

The Soil Association  is the UK’s largest organic certification body, responsible for certifying over 80% of all organic products sold in the country. Since 1973 they have built up extensive practical experience and provide unrivalled support before, during and after certification. It developed the world’s first organic certification system in 1967 - standards which have since widened to encompass agriculture, aquaculture, ethical trade, food processing, forestry, health & beauty, horticulture and textiles. Today it certifies over 80% of produce in the UK.

www.soilassociation.org

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is a standardized worldwide testing and certification system for textile products at all stages of processing. This label shows that the model complies to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 criteria. The pollutant tests cover
substances which are prohibited and regulated by law, chemicals which are known to be harmful to health and parameters for health protection. www.oeko-tex.com

The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company with the mission to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, providing specialist support to business and the public sector to help cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies.  By stimulating low carbon action they contribute to key UK goals of lower carbon emissions, the development of low carbon businesses, increased energy security and associated jobs.
www.carbontrust.co.uk

WRAP is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the certification of lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing throughout the world. The Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production Principles are basic standards that address labor practices, factory conditions, and environmental and customs compliance. The WRAP Principles received the public endorsement of the AAMA Board of Directors in 1998. More recently, the Principles have been endorsed by groups representing apparel manufacturers from 18 countries around the world.
www.wrapapparel.org