When looking for ‘better fabrics’ to create your garments or DIY projects, there are many different aspects you can take into account. What ‘better’ means to you is very personal: the origin of the fibers, the products used for dyeing, the land it’s produced in, water use, the use of organic cotton, the way it’s packaged, carbon footprint, fabric from recycled materials and so on.
Although we feel all of the above is important, at this moment in time, it’s very difficult to find fabrics that match your expectations when it comes to these criteria. There is low level of transparency when it comes to finding out these details when shopping for fabrics. The fabric you have your eye on might be made from organic materials or naturally dyed with plants, but most of the time it’s not possible to even get this information.
One way of having more insights, and therefore an actual choice, is buying fabrics that have a certification. And that is exactly what you can expect to find in our fabric shop. We only sell OEKO-TEX, GOTS, GRS, TENCEL, EcoVero and SGS certified fabrics. Learn more about the certifications below and decide which one ticks your boxes!
OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX is a German organization from origin. The name stands for ‘eco’ and ‘textile’: eco textiles.
OEKO-TEX is a test and certifying system for textile that focusses on restricting the use of harmful substances in textile manufacturing. The demands are very strict and are monitored regularly. A certificate has to be renewed every year.
Although the label focusses on the health aspect of the textile product, the guidelines for the use of harmful substances also has interfaces with the ecological dimension of sustainability. A fabric that is certified as STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX is proven to be skin-friendly in various classes, including products for infants, products with direct skin contact and decoration material. The closer to the skin, the stricter the demands.
OEKO-TEX certification also includes STeP by OEKO-TEX which details sustainable manufacturing processes and social responsibilities. MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX includes full traceability and transparency for the customers, services for leather standards and partners with Greenpeace.
Want to know more about OEKO-TEX certifications? Visit their website
GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the most comprehensive international textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire supply chain. Criteria for production include organic fiber content, use of heavy metals, restriction on bleaches, dyes, procedures to minimize waste and no PVC packaging of the products. The social criteria include no forced or child labor, the right to collective bargaining, safe and hygienic working conditions, protection of wages and working hours, no discrimination and hours management.
GRS
GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard. This is a standard which verifies the presence and amount of recycled material in fabrics. Next to that it tracks the flow of raw materials from its source to the final product. It is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions. The GRS certificate only applies to fabrics that contain more than 50% recycled fibers.
The goal of the Global Recycled Standard is to provide a trademark for customers, brands and consumers to recognize verified recycled products, to increase the use of recycled materials in products and to reduce the harm caused by its production to people and the environment. The standard wants to create a transparent market in which harmful environmental and chemical impacts are minimized throughout the whole supply chain. Every year all companies in the supply chain are audited by a professional third-party certification body.
TENCEL™
TENCEL™ is actually a brand name for a type of lyocell, or sometimes modal material. TENCEL™ is produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. It is a super soft, clean and natural fiber, made of wood pulp from sustainable managed forests. The production process of TENCEL™ is revolutionairy sustainable. Converting wood pulp to fiber is done in a closed-loop system which recovers and reuses the solvents used, minimizing the environmental impact of production. TENCEL™ fabric is more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen. It’s biodegradable, easy to care for and a dream to sew with.
ECOVERO™
ECOVERO™ Viscose fibers are sustainably certified viscose fibers. Compared to traditional viscose fabric, manufacturing ECOVERO™ viscose only requires half the water, and also the CO2 emission and use of fossil resources are cut in half. It’s made of pulp from wood that derives only from certified and controlled wood sources.
Because of the natural fibers from the wood used to create this ECOVERO™ Viscose is very breathable and comfortable to wear. The fibers do not get static, they maintain their soft texture, and they keep the colors very well. The ECOVERO™ fibers are produced and certified by Austria-based Lenzing, which is behind the production and certification of the sustainable TENCEL™ fiber.
SGS
The denim collection of Mind the Maker is manufactured in China. The manufacturer is verified by SGS to ensure a trusted, ethical and environmentally conscious processes throughout every step of the production. The SGS verification ensures that products, systems and services meet the requirements of international standards for responsible textile production.
The fabrics are also tested and verified by SGS to ensure no harmful chemicals in the final product (comparable to the Oeko-Tex certification).
The fabrics are shipped to Europe by sea or rail.
SGS, formerly Société Générale de Surveillance (French for General Society of Surveillance), is a multinational with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. They provide inspection, verification, testing and certification services.
