Among the countless sustainability labels for textiles and clothing, there are only a few holistic seals. But what do Green Button (Grüner Knopf), OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, GOTS, Cotton made in Africa, Fairtrade, and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 actually stand for? In our article series on sustainability certificates, we introduce you to the most important ones.

The Textile Seal Jungle

There are now more than 450 sustainability labels for textiles and clothing worldwide. Many sound promising, but often only address specific aspects – such as animal welfare, CO₂ savings, organic farming, fair trade, or recycling. In addition, there are government-run quality seal programs, for example from Australia, Scandinavia, China, or individual US states. And, of course, companies themselves develop many "home-grown" product claims for marketing purposes.

Given this medley, it is easy to lose track. To shed some light on the subject, we explain in this series what lies behind the common seals and which ones truly cover holistic criteria – meaning ecological, social, and ethical standards.

Only a few textile seals guarantee sustainable hotel terry

Cotton is the most important fiber, especially for terry products. From cultivation to the finished product, countless work steps and many people are involved. To ensure that a cotton product is created under the most sustainable and environmentally friendly conditions possible, ecological, social, and ethical standards must be observed throughout the entire supply chain. In our own sustainability assessment, we found that only a handful of seals truly meet these requirements.

Example: Cotton made in Africa and Fairtrade primarily promote social and ecological conditions in cotton cultivation. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, and the Green Button, on the other hand, also consider the entire processing chain.

The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 stands in a class of its own

This seal is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances and is therefore primarily to be seen under the heading of "consumer safety." For us, it is indispensable, as it guarantees that our entire terry range is manufactured without chemicals that are harmful to health.