Sustainability at VAN GRAAF

The Better Cotton Initiative is backed by environmental and human rights organizations as well as companies in the textile industry. The non-profit BCI wishes to improve environmental and working conditions in cotton cultivation and, to do so, it teaches farmers to reduce harmful chemicals, use water efficiently, respect natural living spaces, and respect the well-being and rights of workers.

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is an initiative by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) and an internationally recognized standard for sustainable African cotton. Through independent verification, the cultivation and ginning of cotton is audited according to economic, social, and ecological criteria, and small farmers need to regularly demonstrate sustainable improvements in their work processes. The goal is to improve the work and living conditions of African cotton farmers over the long term and to protect the environment.

Products that are EUROPEAN FLAX®-certified guarantee the traceability of premium linen fibers grown in Europe. It is a natural and sustainable fiber that is cultivated without artificial watering and is free from GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the leading global standard for processing textiles from organically produced natural fibers. GOTS covers the entire production chain at an extremely high level—from harvesting the raw materials to environmentally and socially friendly production and even the sale of GOTS-certified textiles. A product with a GOTS seal must contain at least 70% certified organic fibers. Types: Made with organic materials: At least 70-94% cotton Organic: At least 95% cotton

The Grüne Knopf is a government seal that contains a total of 46 demanding standards to protect people and the environment. These include, among others, a prohibition on child and forced labor as well as the use of chemicals, limits for wastewater, or the payment of minimum wages. Independent bodies certify compliance with these criteria.

The Global Recycle Standard (GRS) pursues the goal of increasing the percentage of recycled material in a product. The standard enables companies to measure the exact percentage of recycled material in a product and track it through the production chain. Furthermore, the GRS contains requirements for the additives used in GRS products as well as guidelines on environmental management and social responsibility in the company. GRS is focused on measuring the percentage of recycled materials.

The independent Good Cashmere Standard has defined a new benchmark for the production of sustainable cashmere. It wishes to improve the well-being of cashmere goats, sustainably ensure the life and livelihood of cashmere farmers and their families, and protect their environment.

The membership initiative, the Leather Working Group (LWG) wishes to make leather processing more transparent and improve the conditions in tanneries and distributors over the long term. For instance, it aims to stop using any potentially critical substances and reduce water and energy consumption. Furthermore, the initiative regularly audits occupational safety. Multiple stakeholders with players from industry, retail, NGOs, and scientific institutions work together to that end. The Leather Working Group's guidelines are already being followed at more than 10% of leather production operations worldwide.

MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® is a sustainable product label for all sorts of textiles (e.g., clothing and home textiles) and leather items of all preliminary stages (e.g., clothing, finished and semi-finished leather), including the accessory materials that are used. The MADE IN GREEN label is proof that an item has been tested for harmful substances. This is accomplished via certification according to STANDARD 100 or LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®. Furthermore, it ensures that the textile or leather product has been manufactured using sustainable processes under socially acceptable working conditions. This is accomplished via certification according to STeP by OEKO-TEX®. Using a unique product ID on the label, you can track the countries and production facilities in which the labeled items were produced.

The Responsible Wool Standard is the leading standard for animal welfare and pasture protection, and it guarantees responsible sheep breeding and soil cultivation. Furthermore, the certificate aims to make delivery chains transparent and traceable.

STeP by OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for brands, retail companies, and manufacturers in the textile and leather industry. The certification is suitable for production facilities at all processing levels that wish to show their environmental measures credibly and transparently to the outside world. Any textile company is eligible for certification, such as fabric producers, spinning mills, weaving mills, embroideries, knitwear factories, finishing facilities, manufacturers, producers of accessories, foam and mattress producers, and textile logistics centers. All processes ranging from the beamhouse to tanning and even manufacturing are certifiable.