Walk into any clothing retailer and you'll find labels claiming sustainability. Most of these claims are unverified, undefined and meaningless. But some certifications are genuinely rigorous. Knowing the difference is useful.
What it means: The most comprehensive organic textile standard available. Covers the entire supply chain from raw fibre to finished garment. Requires at least 70% certified organic fibres. Prohibits a long list of harmful chemicals. Includes social criteria - fair wages, safe working conditions, no child labour.
Worth paying for? Yes - it's one of the most credible certifications in fashion.
What it means: A certification for companies, not products. B Corp companies meet high standards of social and environmental performance across the whole business. Companies must recertify every three years.
Worth paying for? B Corp is a meaningful signal that a company is run with genuine values. Patagonia, Allbirds, Veja and many smaller brands hold B Corp status.
What it means: Workers in the supply chain receive fair wages and work in safe conditions.
What it doesn't cover: Environmental impact. Fair Trade says nothing about organic farming, chemical use, or carbon emissions.
What it means: Tests the finished product for harmful substances. Ensures the garment is safe to wear against skin.
What it doesn't cover: How the garment was made, who made it, or any environmental impact. It is not a sustainability certification - it is a safety certification.
GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification verifies that recycled content claims are accurate. Unverified recycled content claims are common and sometimes misleading.
No single certification covers everything. GOTS is strongest for organic natural fibres. B Corp is the strongest signal of company values. Fair Trade addresses worker welfare. The most sustainable clothing decision remains: buy less, buy secondhand, keep what you have for longer.
