STANDARD
Nobody can judge a pair of normal baby clothing by the look of it – if it is made of organic or inorganic cotton. Hence, it is essential to look at a guaranteed brand that offers clothes that are genuinely organic and authentic. The responsibility of which has been taken over by various certifying agencies across the globe. We currently have two of the most universally accepted certified standards for GOrganic – GOTS and Fair Trade.
About GOTS
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is acknowledged as a leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers worldwide. It is a remark of high level environmental criteria along the entire supply chain of organic textiles and requires compliance with social criteria as well. All phases of organic fibre and fabric production are being inspected and certified according to GOTS’ strict and uniform standards in order to attain the certification label “organic”.
About Fair Trade
Fairtrade is primarily a social label that focuses on improving the working and living conditions of people by banning the use of chemicals and artificial products in any manufacturing or during production process of the product.
The process can be summarised in three steps –
- The cotton farmers receive an internationally agreed fairtrade (FLO) price for their cotton at market.
- The factories or companies, such as GOrganic, which undertake all the processing of that raw cotton.
- After buying it from the cotton farmers, turn the cotton fabric into clothes.
So that is it in very simple terms – what seeing the certified fairtrade mark on clothing can mean to a buyer. While the system is certainly not perfect, especially when a supply chain is as complicated as cotton clothing is, it does give piece of mind that ‘certified fairtrade’ is the highest, independently certified, ethical standard for production that a clothing firm can currently adhere to.
What happens when you choose a Fairtrade product?
When a product, whether consumer or luxury, carries the International Fairtrade Certification Mark, it means the producers and traders have met certain environmental, labour, and developmental standards set by Fairtrade International. These guidelines are designed to redeem the imbalance of power in trading relationships, the uncertainties of unstable markets, and the injustices of conventional trade.
Workers on fair trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions and sustainable wages. Forced child and slave labor are strictly prohibited. As told on Fair trade Foundation website, ‘With Fair trade you have the power to change the world every day. With simple shopping choices you can get farmers a better deal. And that means they can make their own decisions, control their futures and lead the dignified life everyone deserves.
