Third-Party Certifications: Do they really matter?

There are over 100 different certifications in the textile industry worldwide. But what do they cover, and most importantly – why do they matter?

What do certifications do?

Certifications are ‘trademarks created by an [industry] association or a professional organisation as a means of guaranteeing the origin, specificities, level of quality or conformity of a product to pre-established […] standards’.[1] With supply chain transparency becoming more important, certifications are also increasingly necessary to ensure consumers trust the brands they buy.

Although it is true that not all consumers fully understand certifications, today’s textile industry trends mean their advantages already easily outweigh their downside. In fact, we anticipate a future where such third-party endorsements will become business-critical, rather than a “nice to have.”

For textile manufacturers, working with certified suppliers can demonstrate a commitment to responsible sourcing, not only boosting their image but also attracting environmentally conscious customers. Certifications can also unlock certain markets or appeal to customers that require the assurance of specific standards, such as vegans, for instance. These endorsements can work as an international ‘communication tool’ – allowing plausible demonstration of commitments and values. This is critical as consumers become not only more demanding, but also more conscious of how their purchases affect the world around them, both socially and environmentally.[2]

Building trust

Making sure a certification can be verified by the consumer is equally as important as holding the certification itself. This is all the more so with the introduction of legislation such as Germany’s Supply Chain Act, which makes corporations responsible for upholding human rights throughout their global supply chains. The EU is currently working on similar laws itself, and further expansions can be expected beyond Europe in future.

Customers in the textile industry can verify that certifications are valid by checking the websites of certifying bodies or reviewing documentation, including audit reports for instance, provided by their suppliers. For example, Clarino Suede holds OEKO-TEX^® STANDARD 100 certification, which can be verified by simply following a website link and entering the product’s certification number, which can be provided by CLARINO™ upon request.

Here at CLARINO™, we are proud to work with several different certification organisations regarding our premium microfibers. For example, OEKO-TEX^® STANDARD 100 confirms that textile products are free from harmful substances, while the Recycled Claim Standard confirms the presence of recycled content. On the human safety side, Dermatest is a certification that provides assurance that the product does not irritate the skin. All these certifications make it clear to customers, and, in turn, consumers, that our products adhere to stringent quality, sustainability and safety standards.

We all know fashion moves fast. But fast, cheap fashion, using materials of questionable quality and sourced from suppliers that may have questionable business practices, is falling out of favour and not advisable. Purchases today are increasingly being driven by ethics, safety and quality. So to stay relevant and ensure long-term business success, sourcing only from certified suppliers is essential. Want to learn more about CLARINO™ and its certifications? Contact our team at amaretta@kuraray.com to find out what we’re doing to ensure that quality, safety and sustainability lie at the core of our products.

[1] CERTIFICATES AT A GLANCE – ReSOURCE (resource-textiles.com)

[2] CERTIFICATES AT A GLANCE – ReSOURCE (resource-textiles.com)