Today, more and more consumers are looking for eco-friendly clothing to reduce their carbon footprint. But how can we be sure that the clothes we buy are environmentally friendly? Fortunately, there are organisations that certify green clothing to help us make more informed choices when we shop. In this article we will look at the different organisations that certify green clothing and discuss what they do to promote responsible shopping.

• Why buy green clothing?

As environmental concerns grow, more and more companies and consumers are interested in environmentally friendly products, including clothing. Eco-friendly clothing is made from natural, organic or recycled raw materials such as cotton, linen, hemp and wool. They are also produced without harmful chemical additives, making them a safe and sustainable option for the planet. By buying eco-friendly clothing, consumers can also help reduce pollution and promote sustainable production.

• What is GOTS?

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an international organisation that certifies organic textile products. The organisation requires products to be made from organic fibres and produced according to specific sustainability and labour criteria. To be GOTS certified, a product must meet a number of requirements, including limited use of harmful chemical additives, compliance with social standards and use of renewable energy sources.

• What is the OCS?

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is another organisation that certifies organic textile products. This organisation aims to ensure that products contain at least 70% organic raw materials from sustainable sources. To obtain OCS certification, companies must provide detailed documentation of their sourcing and manufacturing processes. The products must also meet a number of quality and sustainability requirements.

• What is OEKO-TEX?

OEKO-TEX is an international organisation that certifies the quality of textiles. It requires that all certified products are free from unwanted toxic substances such as heavy metals, formaldehyde and harmful azo dyes. OEKO-TEX certification also includes additional tests to ensure that products are free from harmful chemical residues and that they meet wear and care requirements.

• Other environmental clothing certification organisations

In addition to GOTS, OCS and OEKO-TEX, there are several other organisations that certify the quality of environmentally friendly clothing. These include Fairtrade International, which certifies products that have been produced in a socially responsible manner; Bluesign System, which certifies the safe use of chemicals; and Rainforest Alliance, which certifies the sustainable use of natural resources. Each of these organisations has its own standards and requirements that products must meet in order to be certified as green.

• Are they always 100% reliable?

Although these organisations have rigorous processes for certifying the quality and sustainability of green clothing, it is impossible to guarantee 100% reliability. As with any other product on the market, it is important for consumers to carefully research the product manufacturer and its certification before purchasing a green garment to ensure that it has been produced to the appropriate standards.

• How to choose good quality environmentally friendly clothing?

To choose good quality eco-friendly clothing, it is important to know what to look for in an item that is certified by an organisation such as GOTS or OCS. When shopping for eco-friendly clothing, always look for the words "certified by" or "made to standard" on the product's packaging or label. You should also look carefully at the manufacturer's information to make sure the product is certified by a recognised and respected organisation such as OEKO-TEX or the Bluesign system.

To conclude:

With organisations that certify eco-friendly clothing, we can be sure that the products we buy have been produced in an environmentally friendly way and that their impact has been minimised. By choosing clothing certified by these organisations, we are helping to protect the environment and improve working conditions for workers. So we can all do our bit to protect our planet by choosing eco-responsible products.