Demystifying Certifications and Standards

Certification is a vast topic, so to kick us off, we take a look at the basics to give you an understanding of the fundamentals so you can make more informed decisions.

Paola Masperi founded, Mayamiko, a fashion and lifestyle label that puts people and planet at the heart of everything they do. Mayamiko runs their workshop in Malawi, Eastern Africa, where they train and employ women from the community. With first-hand experience of becoming a certified brand, Paola has an incredible wealth of knowledge. Hear about the process Mayamiko went through to choose their certifications, the impact these have had on their business, and how other brands should approach the decision themselves.

This is a downloadable-only Lesson regarding the 40+ most recognised standards for fibres, textiles and fashion.

Two of the five factories that collapsed in 2014 were audited by the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). In their own words, the BSCI was created to “provide companies with a practical and efficient system to improve social compliance in global supply chains.” The audits failed to identify the illegal structural issues that led to the collapse in two BSCI-registered buildings. The fact is, however, BSCI audits do not cover building safety at all. This is why it is so essential to understand precisely what certifications and standards include.

We have put together an incredible downloadable with 40+ of the most recognised standards. Whether you decide to purchase your materials from a certified supplier, or become certified yourself, this downloadable will help you to quickly identify the standards and certifications that are right for you. Use it in correspondence with our Brand Audit and Fabric Sourcing Audit to understand what standards and certifications are suitable for your product, and for your values.

Today many organisations offer their own eco-rating systems. They take a holistic view of a company's impact. These platforms help brands and consumers to think about their choices in a more comprehensive manner, and vote with their purse. We had the privilege to chat with Sandra Capponi, Founder of the app, "Good on You."

A business of any size and in any sector can get certified. Use this downloadable guide to figure out the certifications that are right for you and your brand, discover the materials and manufacturers to look for and explore the first steps to certification and communicating your impact.