Ethical and responsible fashion labels

Between “greenwashing” by companies and fake labels, it is often difficult to tell what is true from what is false… At Meanwhile Boutique, transparency and ethics are at the heart of our DNA. It is important to us to offer certified products recognized by organizations.

Last year, we listed the 5 labels and certifications to know for an ethical and responsible wardrobe. Just a quick update, this little guide covers the different official labels found in the ethical fashion industry.

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What is an ethical label? 

You have probably wondered what “Oeko-Tex certified” meant when looking at the label on your t-shirt. It is a label awarded to a garment made in an ethical way. This official certification indicates that a brand or a product complies with the specifications of the organization that awards it. A label is considered a guarantee of quality and encourages consumers to trust the brand that holds it. 

For a label to be considered “eco-responsible” in the ethical fashion industry, it must meet all or a number of criteria, notably: the quality of raw materials, the manufacturing process, the absence of toxic substances for health and nature, working conditions, and fair pay for employees.

However, beware of fake labels! It is very easy for a brand to put an “organic” certification on its product labels. An official label is established by an independent organization and is subject to regular inspections.

The different textile labels: 

FAIRTRADE / MAX HAVELAAR 

Founded by the Max Havelaar France NGO, the Fairtrade label can be found on textile products as well as food and cosmetics. Its goal is to develop fair trade that is both environmentally friendly and respectful of human rights. It helps various economic players move towards solidarity-based and sustainable consumption.

FAIR WEAR

Issued by Fair Wear Foundation, the Fair Wear label is awarded to clothing distribution companies, not to products. This organization focuses on textile work throughout the entire manufacturing chain, from the harvesting of fibers to the finished product. Unlike other labels, this one primarily ensures compliance with working conditions and is not linked to environmental protection. A company with this label must not use child labor, prohibit discrimination, allow its workers to form or join a union, and ensure safety within its premises as well as a decent wage and decent working hours. 

GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD (GRS)  

The Global Recycled Standard label states that a product is made with at least 50% recycled materials. Textile companies with this label also ensure the absence of hazardous and carcinogenic substances during manufacturing. At the social level, the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) must be respected when making the product.

GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS)

For a garment to be GOTS certified, it must be composed of 95% (Level 1) or at least 75% (Level 2) organic fibers. The label certifies an eco-friendly production method that requires a reduction in water and energy consumption during the various production stages. It is also socially responsible: the garments are made by people who receive a decent wage and work in decent working conditions.

MASTERS OF LINEN

This is a European label specific to linen. Masters of Linen guarantees that a finished linen product has been designed from start to finish (cultivation, material processing, manufacturing) and according to strict standards in Europe. Why in Europe? 85% of the world’s linen production takes place on the continent.

GUARANTEED FRENCH ORIGIN

This official label certifies the provenance of a product. For a product to be certified as having guaranteed French origin, it must be manufactured entirely or at least 50% in mainland France. 

PETA-APPROVED VEGAN

This international label certifies that a product is 100% “animal-friendly”. It contains no animal materials (leather, fur, silk, down, or wool) and no animals were used as test subjects during the manufacturing process.

STANDARD 100 BY OEKO-TEX 

This is one of the most common labels in ethical fashion. The Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex label guarantees that an item contains no toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans or the environment. This certification takes into account the manufacturing stages as well as transparency throughout the supply chain. However, it only applies to the product, not its manufacturing process or the working conditions of employees.

Its younger sibling, the Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label, ensures the absence of chemicals, appropriate manufacturing processes, and suitable working conditions. The Leather Standard by Oeko-Tex, applies to leather products and ensures that they contain no substances harmful to humans.

With more than a hundred eco-responsible brands on Meanwhile Boutique, you can dress from head to toe in 100% ethical and certified clothing.

In addition to ensuring their products have official recognition, our designers are also committed to complete transparency regarding the provenance and quality of their raw materials. We discuss this in detail in this article.