GOTS is the abbreviation for Global Organic Textile Standard.

GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including geological and social criteria, backed up by independant certification of the entire textile supply chain. The textiles must consist of at least 95 % organically produced natural fibers. Natural fibers are fibers from 100 % controlled organic farming. They derive exclusively from natural sources such as plants, animals or minerals and can be used directly without further chemical processing. Very strict guidelines apply from the cultivation of the raw material through dyeing and finishing processes to the packaging. For example, it´s not allowed to use harmful chemicals in the dyeing process.

Similar to organic goods in the food sector, also GOTS-certified materials are stored separately along the supply and production chain. During this process, no mixing with goods that are not GOTS-certified is allowed.

Moreover there are strict requirements regarding the use of chemicals, e.g. in the bleaching or dyeing process. All agents used in the dyeing process are subject to severe regulations with regard to substances that are hazardous to health and their biodegradability.

Manufacturing companies must ensure that waste and waste water are minimized. To do so, the companies define corresponding targets and procedures. The compliance of these is checked in the audit.

An important part of the GOTS certification concerns the adherence of high social standards such as:

- Regulated working hours

- Fair wages (ensuring one's livelihood, at least the minimum wage)

- Freedom of association

- Interdiction of child labour

- Interdiction of discrimination

- Safe working conditions & health protection

The fulfillment of all these criteria is regularly checked by independent certification bodies.

As part of our claim to sustainability, we attach great importance to working with GOTS-certified production companies (yarn and fabric suppliers, manufacturers) who take responsibility for this seal.

GRS is the abbreviation for Global Recycled Standard.

With the associated guidelines, the label wants to increase the incentive for companies to increase the proportion of recycled materials in a product. The GRS contains a wide variety of requirements with regards to the value of ​​recycled materials. It clearly defines socially and environmentally relevant methods, but also the use of chemicals.

With the help of the standard and the transparency and documentation required there, companies can ensure that social, ecological and chemical regulations are observed along the production cycle. The embroidery threads we use are made from
100 % GRS recycled polyester.

OCS stands for Organic Content Standard.

This seal identifies products (exception: food) that contain 95 % - 100 % ecological material. With the help of this certification, companies can trace the content and amount of ecological material in their products and trace raw materials used from the source to the finished product - manufacturing, processing, packaging, labelling, trading, distribution.

The compliance with these requirements is checked independently, transparently and consistently to ensure quality management. In contrast to the GOTS label, an OCS certification does not provide any information about the chemical additives used, environmental management or working conditions in a company.

OEKO-TEX includes a number of different textile and factory certifications. The aim is to identify products that are classified as harmless to health at all stages of processing and that are tested for environmentally friendly conditions in the production cycle.

The OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label is one of the most common certifications worldwide for textiles that have been tested for harmful substances. All components of products that carry this seal such as threads, buttons, zips, accessories, etc. have been tested and need to be classified as harmless to health. These products must be free from prohibited substances such as AZO dyes, formaldehyde, cadmium, nickel, pentachlorophenol. Additionally, pesticides- for which there are no legal regulations - may not be used.

To ensure the quality, the products are tested by independent OEKO-TEX institutes. The maximum allowable value that must be met is often stricter than national and international specifications. The test criteria are updated annually and expanded to include new scientific research results and legal requirements. The OEKO-TEX 100 certificate only considers the contamination of textiles with harmful substances. The compliance with social standards in the individual production stages is not taken into account. All dyeing processes for the GOTS and OCS certified textiles we offer follow the OEKO-TEX 100 standard.

FSC is the abbreviation for Forest Stewardship Council and it is an internationally recognized certification for sustainable forest management.

The aim is to use the forests of our planet in a more environmentally friendly, socially acceptable and economically viable way. The biodiversity, productivity and ecological processes of the forest should be preserved. Companies working in the area of forest management should stick to social standards. Economical profit should not be made at the expense of the forest. Anually, independant experts audit companies that have an FSC certification. Usually the results are published.

Even if the FSC label is not perfect, it is currently the most demanding in its field. It creates transparency and offers various mechanisms to react to misuse. Sometimes misuse leads to the withdrawals of the FSC certificate.

Since a more sustainable forest management is important to us, we use undyed FSC-certified paper for our labels and use glassine bags made from FSC-certified paper for the individual packaging of our garments.