Agencies
B Corporation asks their members to do business as if people and the environment matter and that they should attempt to do no harm through their products and practices. In order to become a member, companies need to pass an assessment showing they meet B Corp requirements.
The Better Cotton Initiative works to make the cotton supply chain more sustainable. Better Cotton works with people along the supply chain from the farmers to the retailers promoting cotton as a sustainable commodity. They have stated principles, they train farmers, assess farms, connect the farmers to the supply chain demand, and they provide information to the industry. In order for a company to become a member in Better Cotton they need to meet minimum requirements as outlined in their code of practice.
Bluesign focuses on environmental sustainability in the area of keeping harmful substances out of the textile industry. Brands that participate in the Bluesign system are audited and sign a compliance agreement.
Coop Coffees seeks to import organic coffee from small-scale farmers with whom they want to build long term relationships. They have the goal of trading in such a way that is sustainable and that benefits the farmers and their communities. Members of Coop Coffees are expected to buy most of their beans through the coop. This agency is also a B-Corp certified organization.
Cradle to Cradle is a certification process where companies that have registered start a process where their products are assessed, certified, improved upon, assessed again, and so forth. While companies take on the C2C label when they sign on, by signing on they are making a commitment to improve their product according to the independent assessment of the C2C agency. You can look a company up on the C2C site to see what level of compliance they have reached in this certification process.
The Domestic Fair Trade Association focuses on domestic trade because domestic small scale farmers also struggle with receiving a fair wage. The DFTA supports family scale farming, they emphasize cooperatives as a way for the farmers to gain control over their future, labor rights, direct trade where possible, long term relationships, among other things. Membership is for organizations committed to fair trade. These principles are enforced through self assessment and peer review.
Eco-Age works with brands as a consulting agency. They visit a brands suppliers to assess all parts of the supply chain to experience the actual conditions the workers experience. They raise awareness to the brand about the conditions of their supply chain and suggest initiatives in line with social justice, corporate responsiblity, and environmental stewardship. When a brand brings their company in line with these initiatives, Eco-Age awards that brand the Green Carpet Challenge brandmark. The GCC brandmark may be given to an entire brand or to a line of clothes within a brand.
The EICC was founded by a group of electronics companies who are committed to the rights of workers in the supply chain worldwide. EICC members are held accountable to the agreed upon code of conduct and are given assessment tools to help them meet and maintain ethical and responsible sourcing. When issues are discovered within the supply chain, members are expected to take corrective action.
Fair for Life stands for human rights at every level of production. They have certifications for fair labor practices, fair trade practices, and environmentally sustainable practices. They encourage long term relationships and transparency in the negotiations. Certified partners are audited, evaluated, and are expected to engage in ongoing improvement to maintain certification.
The Fair Labor Association is focused on worker's rights. They work with companies and civil organizations to find sustainable solutions for labor issues. Member companies agree to FLAs code of conduct in their commitment to ensure fair labor practices within their supply chain. As part of this commitment, companies will identify and remedy violations. Companies are responsible to run their own assessments along their supply chain, but FLA also runs their own random assessments.
The Fair Trade Federation values social, economic and environmentally sound trade. They encourage long term relationships, fair wages, safe working conditions, as well as supporting producers in building a sustainable business. In order to be a member, a company agrees to source all of their products in compliance with fair trade principles.
Fair Trade USA seeks to empower farmers through market based solutions. They also desire to support environmentally sustainable practices. They partner with SCS Global Services to assess compliance. They support fair pricing, fair labor practices and economic development.
Fairtrade Intl uses FLO-CERT auditors to ensure compliance with fair trade standards. They require producers and traders to undergo an audit. They believe that fair trade can empower the disadvantaged to develop and reduce poverty.
The Global Organic Textile Standard certificate is awarded to companies whose products contain a minimum of 70% organic materials. Any chemicals used must adhere to specific criteria. Wastewater treatment is also required. After applying for the certificate GOTS performs an onsite audit of the company to ensure compliance before a certificate is given.
OEKO-TEX qualifies textiles for human and ecological safety by determining that they are free from toxic substances. They not only check for illegal substances, but also for regulated substances and substances which may be harmful even though they haven’t been prohibited.
The social responsibility arm of the Outdoor Industry Group is their Sustainability Working Group. Members of this group work to adopt standards for environmental and social responsibility. They build a sustainability index, work toward responsible chemical handling, fair labor practices, and materials tracing through the supply chain.
Quality Certification Alliance is an independent firm that works with businesses to safe, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable products. Companies that receive accreditation have spent months receiving audits and improving their standards.
When a company displays the Rainforest Alliance certification that means they have undergone audits to meet various criteria. Farms need to have sustainable agricultural practices, treat their labor well, and practice conservation. If a product has its Forestry label it means that they practice conservation, respect indigenous lands, treat workers well, and protect endangered species. Companies that engage in tourism need to protect ecosystems and benefit the communities they're among.
The Textile Exchange is a third party auditor of textile standards. They check and certify many claimed standards such as content, organic, recycled, responsible sourcing, among others.
The Textile Exchange is a third party auditor of textile standards. They check and certify many claimed standards such as content, organic, recycled, responsible sourcing, among others.
I'm placing World Coffee Research in the category of "fair trade" for lack of a better classification. Their goals reach beyond fair trade into the realm of development within the coffee industry to research ways for all parties to benefit fairly. Their research and development keeps in mind the needs of the producers and the environment. Membership in World Coffee Research indicates that a company gave financially to further the research.
The World Fair Trade Organization works toward ensuring that producers receive a sustainable, living wage. They desire to see producers improve their lives and communities through fair trade.
The WWF works towards conservation of wildlife and their homes. They advocate for policies around climate, sustainable food sourcing, conservation of forests, maintaining fresh water and healthy oceans, and preserving wildlife. Partnerships with companies include measurable results that further the goals of WWF.
ZDHC is a collaborative effort among a group of major brands to bring the discharge of hazardous materials to zero by 2020. Committed to transparency and ambitious goals, the brands report regularly on their progress against the agreed upon timeline.