Understanding GOTS and WRAP: A Guide to Sustainable Textile Certifications
Strangers, in today's fashion landscape, sustainability, and ethical manufacturing are at the forefront of consumers' and, hence, likely your minds. As eco-conscious choices become paramount, understanding the certifications that vouch for these values is crucial. Two of the most prominent textile certifications are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production).
At a glance, GOTS focuses primarily on the organic nature of textiles and ensures that the entire production process of a textile product, from harvesting raw materials to labeling, meets stringent organic and environmental criteria. On the other hand, WRAP emphasizes ethical and responsible production practices, ensuring that factories operate in safe, lawful, and humane ways. While both certifications have distinct priorities, they share a common goal: pushing the textile and fashion industry towards greater responsibility and sustainability. Here at Human in Design, we, led by me, M.-L. Stranger only focus on sourcing our apparel from places that have at least one of these certifications, and we’re here to explain to you why that makes our stuff a bit more surreal than some other items you can purchase with your hard-earned dollars.
Diving Deeper into GOTS
GOTS is a renowned global standard for textiles made from organic fibers. When a product bears the GOTS label, it assures consumers that:
Organic Integrity: The raw textile fibers are sourced from certified organic farming, devoid of synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Eco-Friendly Processing: Throughout the production process, harmful bleaches, dyes, and other chemicals are either limited or entirely prohibited. This reduces the environmental impact and potential health risks to consumers.
Ethical Labor Practices: GOTS also considers the social aspects of production, ensuring fair labor practices, proper wages, and safe working conditions.
A Closer Look at WRAP
WRAP certification stands apart with its strong emphasis on manufacturing ethics and factory conditions (read a more in-depth article here). Products or factories that achieve WRAP certification ensure:
Compliance with Laws & Workplace Regulations: Adherence to all local legal statutes and regulations, from wage requirements to environmental regulations.
Safe & Healthy Work Environments: Factories are bound to provide a safe workspace, taking proactive measures against potential hazards and ensuring the well-being of their workers.
Prohibition of Child & Forced Labor: Strict guidelines against exploitative labor practices, ensuring that all employees work voluntarily and are of legal working age.
Making Informed Choices
As fly consumers like yourself increasingly demand transparency and responsibility in their products, understanding certifications like GOTS and WRAP becomes imperative. While GOTS champions the organic pedigree and holistic sustainability of a product, WRAP sheds light on the humane and legal aspects of its manufacturing process. By familiarizing ourselves with these standards, we can make more informed decisions, supporting brands and products that resonate with our values and vision for a sustainable future.
