Certifications for the textile sector

Globally recognized textile certification that ensures tested products are free from substances harmful to human health.
Created to standardize textile safety across different countries and companies, this certification covers raw materials, intermediate and final products, as well as accessories such as buttons and fasteners. Tests are conducted by over 16 research institutes in Europe and Japan, and the certification is recognized in more than 60 countries.

OEKO-TEX® STeP stands for Sustainable Textile and Leather Production and is a modular certification system for production facilities in the textile and leather industry.

The goal of STeP is to implement environmentally friendly production processes in the long term, improve health and safety, and promote socially responsible working conditions at production sites. The target audience for STeP certification includes textile and leather manufacturers, as well as brands and retailers.

UV STANDARD 801 is one of the most rigorous testing and certification systems for sun-protective clothing and textiles in the world. The testing process determines the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which specifies the UV protection level of textiles.

In contrast to other UV standards that only test textiles in a new and dry state, UV STANDARD 801 also tests sun-protective textiles under realistic usage conditions. This is because daily use often drastically reduces UV protection through moisture, stretching, abrasion, and washing.

Globally recognized certification that ensures textiles are produced sustainably and ethically, covering everything from raw material harvesting to the manufacturing of the final product.

Established in 2006, the certification guarantees that natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, are grown organically and processed without harmful chemicals.

It is the largest sustainable cotton certification in the world, established in 2005 to improve farming practices and promote fair working conditions for farmers.

The initiative aims to make cotton production more sustainable by reducing environmental impacts and ensuring better conditions for workers in the sector.

Textile certification that ensures the traceability of 100% plant-based flax fiber, grown exclusively in Western Europe (France, Belgium, and the Netherlands).

The label is granted by the European Confederation of Flax and Hemp (CELC) and guarantees sustainable production without irrigation, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or waste, using 100% mechanical processes for fiber extraction. 

International certification established in 2008 that ensures the traceability and authenticity of recycled materials in textile products.

The certification verifies that companies follow responsible environmental, social, and chemical practices during production, ensuring greater transparency and sustainability in the industry.

International certification established in 2002 that ensures raw material producers, particularly in developing countries, operate under fair working conditions and follow responsible social and environmental practices.

The certification verifies that companies comply with fair trade standards, promoting a better balance between producers and consumers and encouraging ethical practices throughout the supply chain.

Widely recognized international certification, especially in the Textile and Clothing Industry (TCI), focused on Quality Management Systems.

The main objective of ISO 9001 is to ensure that an organization guarantees product compliance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement of its processes through external and independent recognition.

Products with the ECO LABEL are sought after worldwide because ECO LABEL focuses not only on reducing chemicals or hazardous compounds but also on the broader environmental impact of products.

The main approach behind the ECO LABEL is life cycle assessment. During this assessment, the processes that may cause pollution during a product’s production and use are analyzed, and their effects are calculated.

Many products can only be sold in the EU if they bear the CE marking, which certifies that they have been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed compliant with EU requirements for safety, health, and environmental protection.

This applies to products manufactured anywhere in the world and then marketed in the EU.

Environmental management system certification, based on the ISO 14001 standard, is an essential tool for organizations seeking to gain increased trust from clients by demonstrating a voluntary commitment to the continuous improvement of their environmental performance.

ISO 14001 adopts a process-based approach, incorporating the PDCA cycle for continuous improvement, integrating risk-based thinking, and considering a life cycle perspective.

NP 4469 has as its main objectives to support organizations that wish to implement a Social Responsibility Management System (SRMS) by providing them with a structured framework.

This standard recognizes organizations that already develop socially responsible practices beyond the global legislative context, allowing them to implement a Management System and providing a unique model for the pillars of Sustainable Development.

bluesign® is a certification system that evaluates the use of chemicals, materials, and production processes, as well as finished textile products, based on five sustainability principles: resource efficiency (chemicals and raw materials, energy, water), among others.

The concept of a “bluesign® system partner” refers to any organization whose products meet these standards, including brands, manufacturers, and chemical suppliers.

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is a voluntary international standard that sets the requirements for third-party certification of recycled content and the supply chain.

Its aim is to increase the use of recycled materials. The RCS framework does not cover the use of chemicals or other social or environmental aspects of production beyond the integrity of the recycled material.

The RWS is a global voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land where they graze.

RWS provides verification of practices occurring at the farm level, giving brands a clear solution that allows them to make claims about the origin of their wool with confidence.

The Higg FEM emerged as part of a joint effort between fashion industry leaders, NGOs, and sustainability experts, aiming to create a tool that promotes transparency and continuous improvement in production operations.

This module is part of the Higg Index suite of tools, created by the SAC, which provides companies with a standardized way to assess environmental and social performance across the entire value chain.

There is a growing consumer awareness to purchase products containing materials from organic farming, which is leading the textile industry to increasingly focus on organic fibers.

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is a voluntary international standard that sets the requirements for third-party certification of certified organic materials and the supply chain.

FSC certification ensures that products come from well-managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Forest owners and managers can become certified to demonstrate responsible forest management.

Throughout the value chain of forest-based products, FSC certification offers several benefits, such as access to new markets.