Certificates
Below you will find more detailed information about the certificates that our products have:
OEKO TEX:
Certification according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® can ensure a decisive competitive advantage for manufacturers. It is performed uniformly around the world by the independent OEKO-TEX® institutes and is applicable to textile products of all processing steps, from the thread to the end product. We require the OEKO-TEX® 100 Class 1 standard always when possible. The OEKO-TEX® standard has four classes, in which we only approve the first two for our products. Product class I consists of articles for children up to 3 years of age. Product class II contains articles that are worn close to the skin.
More information: https://www.oeko-tex.com
RESPONSIBLE WOOL STANDARD (RWS):
The Responsible Wool Standard is a voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on. It provides the industry with a tool to recognize the best practices of farmers. RWS certificate ensures that wool comes from farms that have a progressive approach to managing their land, practice holistic respect for animal welfare of the sheep and respect the Five Freedoms of animal welfare. It also ensures strong chain of custody for certified materials as they move through the supply chain.
The RWS requires all sites to be certified, beginning with the wool farmers and through to the seller in the final business to business transaction. Usually, the last stage to be certified is the garment manufacturer or brand. Farms are certified to the Animal Welfare and Land Management and Social Modules of the RWS. Subsequent stages of the supply chain are certified to the Content Claim Standard requirements.
More information: https://textileexchange.org/standards/responsible-wool/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YMPQxntKPe6odmiKkODdapDE7y88g2jFnYzZoH4kohnaztZSJihsEhoClIEQAvD_BwE
SUSTAINABLE FIBRE ALLIANCE (SFA):
The Sustainable Fibre Alliance is a global multi-stakeholder initiative with a mission to ensure the long-term viability of the cashmere sector. They promote the SFA Cashmere Standard to encourage the adoption of responsible production practices that minimise environmental impact, safeguard herder livelihoods and meet high animal welfare standards. The SFA works with the end to end cashmere supply chain, connecting herders to brands and retailers in the global fashion industry. SFA standard allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to transforming the cashmere sector and make credible claims about the sustainability of their cashmere products.
More information: https://sustainablefibre.org
MULESING FREE WOOL:
Mulesing has been a routine surgical procedure for the majority of sheep especially in Australia where most of the commercial wool comes from. It is a method used by some sheep farmers preventing their sheep from being killed by infections caused by insects. Mulesing procedure means cutting skin from around a lamb’s breech to create an area of bare, stretched skin. Because the scarred skin has no folds or wrinkles to hold moisture and feces, it is less likely to attract blowflies who might cause the death of the sheep. To solve this problem and prevent diseases, the sheep are directly removed part of the posterior flesh, very often including the tail, often without any type of anesthesia. Research shows the pain of mulesing is similar to that of castration, but it lasts up to 48 hours.
The characteristic of the Merinos sheep is in fact a wrinkled skin, which allows the production of a lot of wool and at the same time allows the stagnation of urine and wet substances, making this point the perfect habitat for flies to lay their eggs, especially in the warmer season. Myiasis infections can lead sheeps to death, as well as the trauma of mulesing. In fact, this generates significant blood losses linked to wounds, which often become infected, among other things, returning point and again. It seems obvious that for such a widespread and massively reared breed of sheep, the purpose of this technique is not really to save the life of the animals, but more to produce as much wool as possible. If the animal survives the trauma of mulesing, an abundant clean wool production will be ensured throughout its life.
Mulesing is a painful surgical procedure for sheep and it can be avoided. No animal should have to go through the pain and stress that this kind of procedure causes. Public pressure to improve sheep welfare has led to the wool industry researching alternatives to mulesing. Luckily, there are other ways to keep sheep safe from these insects but they are more expensive in the long run. This is why mulesing-free merino wool items might cost a bit extra.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC):
The FSC® label guarantees that all wood-based materials used in the manufacture of the product are sourced from responsibly managed FSC® forests, where each felled tree is always replaced with new ones. This means that forest animals and vegetation are better cared for and that forest managers receive adequate training, adequate pay and all the safety equipment they need for their work.
More information: https://fsc.org/en
GLOBAL RECYCLE STANDARD (GRS):
The most qualified certification for recycled materials is the Global Recycle Standard (GRS) by Textile Exchange, a global non-profit organization which has the task of enhancing the sustainable aspect of the textile value chain. It´s one of the most important non-profit organizations promoting responsible and sustainable development in the textile sector at an international level.
With this standard, Textile Exchange recognizes the fundamental importance of recycling for the growth of a sustainable production and consumption model; it aims to favour the reduction in consumption of resources (virgin raw materials, water and energy) and to increase the quality of recycled products. It identifies and shares best practices in relation to materials, workmanship and traceability in order to reduce the impact of the textile industry on the world’s water, soil and air and on the human population. GRS requires a minimum of 50% recycled fiber and certifies products obtained from recycled materials and manufacturing activities. It enhances products made with recycled materials, in compliance with environmental and social criteria covering all stages of the production chain.
The GRS provides for the release of an environmental certificate verified by a third party which proves: 1) The recycling material content of their products (both intermediate and finished), 2) Compliance with environmental and social criteria throughout the production chain and 3) All products consisting of at least 20% pre-consumer and post-consumer recycling materials can be GRS certified.
The GRS criteria extend to the following areas:- Product composition and recycling material content
- Maintenance of the traceability throughout the entire production process
- Restrictions in the use of chemicals
- Compliance with the relevant environmental criteria which may concern: the water supply; the waste water and water disposal; energy recovery; pollutant emissions into the atmosphere; waste production and management; soil and groundwater contamination; the management of hazardous substances, preparations and materials; sound emissions; emergency management
- Compliance with social criteria concerning workers' rights
More information: https://textileexchange.org/standards/recycled-claim-standard-global-recycled-standard/
The “Recycle Claim Standard” is intended for use with any product which contains at least 5% recycled material. Each production phase must be certified, starting from the recycling phase and ending with the last retailer in the final business-to-business transaction. The collection and concentration sites of the materials are subject to self certification, to document collection and to site visits. RCS does not deal with the social or environmental aspects of processing and production, quality or legal compliance.
GRS is promoted by Textile Exchange, one of the most important non-profit organizations promoting responsible and sustainable development in the textile sector at an international level. The Global Recycled Standard is a holistic and voluntary certification for products with recycled content. The desired effect of the GRS is to provide brands with a tool for a more accurate labeling, to encourage innovation in the use of reclaimed materials, to establish transparency in the supply chain and to provide better information to consumers.
- product composition and content from recycled materials
- maintaining traceability throughout the entire production process in accordance with the Content Claim Standard (CCS) which is an integral part of the RCS standard
- all products consisting of at least 5% pre-consumer and post-consumer recycling materials can be GRS certified
More information: https://textileexchange.org/standards/recycled-claim-standard-global-recycled-standard/
CARDATO RECYCLED – MADE IN PRATO:
The "Cardato Recycled products - Made in Prato" trademark certifies that the product was made within the Prato district and that it is made with at least 65% recycled material. Also the environmental impact of the entire production cycle is measured taking into account three aspects: impact of water, energy and CO consumption.
More information: http://www.cardato.it/en
