Certification guide

Certifications can be a great help - both for you as a customer and for us as a brand. For you as a customer, a certification means that an independent third party has assessed that the clothing meets a set of criteria, and for us as a brand, it helps us keep track and ensure environmental as well as social responsibility. The value chains in the textile industry are incredibly long, and it can be almost impossible to know what the textiles actually contain or under what conditions the production has taken place without documentation.

However, there is a significant difference in what the certifications cover, and therefore, we would like to help you navigate - both regarding those we have ourselves and those we know you may encounter. And as always, you are very welcome to contact us at info@vacvac.dk if you have questions or requests for other guides.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) 



GOTS is the leading international standard for organic textiles, setting a wide range of requirements from fiber traceability and content, waste minimization, chemical usage, water consumption, and wastewater treatment to textile durability and the social working conditions throughout the product's value chain - all the way from the fiber in the field to the garment on the hanger. In this way, it's a holistic certification where brands must also be able to demonstrate that they work according to these requirements. GOTS is particularly widespread in relation to cotton, but it's also found on other natural materials such as linen and wool.

 

At VACVAC studio, we and our products are GOTS-certified (IDFL015710) for several reasons. For instance, it's important for us that the people who cultivate or process our cotton are not risking their health or local environments by using harmful chemicals. At the same time, we want to ensure that they receive a wage for their work that covers their right to shelter, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and transportation.

GOTS also requires that textiles must not contain a wide range of chemicals suspected to have a negative impact on your and your child's health.

 

Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000)

SA8000 is a corporate standard that focuses on workers' rights, distinguishing itself from others that primarily relate to the specific product. For this reason, you rarely find it disclosed on clothing, but it is sometimes mentioned on company websites.

Similar to GOTS, SA8000 sets a wide range of requirements regarding workers' safety and rights in the workplace, such as ensuring against child labor, forced labor, discrimination, etc. Additionally, it strongly focuses on ensuring proper wages that cover shelter, nutritious food, healthcare, education, and transportation. For example, our skilled supplier xxxx in xxxx is SA8000-certified.

 

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 

 

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is a voluntary health certification primarily focused on ensuring that the finished product does not contain harmful substances. The certification sets particularly high standards for textiles intended for children and/or coming into close contact with the skin. However, contrary to what many often believe, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is not an organic certification, and unlike GOTS, it doesn't have the same holistic requirements for the product's creation, neither environmentally nor socially.

 

FairTrade

FairTrade primarily focuses on cotton products, where a standard has been developed that particularly considers wage and working conditions from the field to the sewing room. FairTrade does not require organic practices, but as part of the program, farmers are offered assistance in more efficient and less environmentally impactful cultivation. However, there isn't as comprehensive a focus on environmental impact and end-user health as with several other certifications.