6 Important Sustainability Certifications and What They Mean

In today’s business world, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword—it's a critical factor in driving consumer trust and long-term success. With the rise of "greenwashing,” where companies market unsubstantiated claims about their environmental impact, as well as the lawsuits that follow behind, consumers quickly become skeptical. So, how can your company stand out and prove that its dedication to sustainability is genuine?

The answer is simple: invest in a sustainability certification.

A sustainability certification proves that your company has undergone rigorous, independent audits and meets established environmental, social, and even governance standards. It builds consumer trust and demonstrates that your company is committed to sustainability.

These certifications also provide valuable insights that can help streamline operations, reduce costs, and drive continuous improvement. 

Below are six of the most widely recognized sustainability certifications that can help showcase your company’s genuine commitment to sustainable practices. Charming Trim has invested in each of these certificates — so you can be confident in our claims and our products. Let’s take a look!

1. Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) Certification

What is it?
The Amfori BSCI certification is a globally recognized framework for improving social performance within supply chains. This certification promotes ethical labor practices, worker safety, fair wages, and non-discriminatory practices, making it essential for companies committed to sustainable supply chain management. 

How you get it:
To achieve the Amfori BSCI certification, a company must first become a member of Amfori (formerly the Foreign Trade Association). The company then completes a comprehensive social compliance assessment to identify any areas that may not align with BSCI’s Code of Conduct. 

Based on the results, a company must develop and implement corrective action plans to address any issues identified. The process also involves passing on-site audits conducted by authorized BSCI auditing firms to verify compliance with social performance standards.

Who/where you can get it:
The certification process is managed by Amfori, and authorized third-party auditing companies carry out the audits. Amfori is a global organization, so the BSCI certification isn’t limited by borders.

2. Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody (FSC CoC) Certification

What it is:
The FSC CoC certification is one of the most well-known and respected certifications for ensuring production materials were sourced from sustainable forests. It applies to any product that uses wood or forest-based materials, such as textiles, paper, and furniture. This certification guarantees that the forests used in production are responsibly managed, promoting biodiversity, conserving ecosystems, and respecting Indigenous rights.

How you get it:
To obtain FSC certification, a company must demonstrate that it sources materials from forests that adhere to FSC standards. The company must also identify, track, and document FSC-certified material throughout the manufacturing and distribution. Finally, the company must meet FSC’s core labor requirements — no child or forced labor, no discrimination in employment, and freedom of association.

Who/where you can get it:
This internationally available certification is granted by FSC-accredited certification bodies, which are authorized to verify compliance with FSC standards. To maintain the certification, companies undergo yearly audits.

3. Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certification

What it is:
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification is a voluntary product standard used to verify the recycled content in products. All GRS-certified products must be made with a minimum of 20% recycled material. This certification ensures that products made from recycled materials meet stringent environmental and social criteria throughout the supply chain.

How you get it:
To achieve the GRS certification, a company must verify the recycled content of its products and demonstrate responsible practices related to social, environmental, and chemical management. Additionally, the company must adhere to chemical restrictions to ensure that harmful substances are not present in the final product.

Who/where you can get it:
Any company involved with recycled materials, including recyclers, manufacturers of semi-finished and finished products, distributors, and brands, can apply. These companies may work with a variety of materials, such as textiles, plastics, and even food/cosmetic packaging. Independent verification bodies accredited by the Textile Exchange provide this global certification.

4. OEKO-TEX Standard 100

What it is:
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification is a global certification for textile products, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals. It applies to all stages of textile production and guarantees that products meet high safety and environmental standards for consumer health.

How you get it:
To obtain OEKO-TEX certification, a company must submit its textile products for comprehensive testing to ensure the absence of harmful chemicals. The products are tested in accredited laboratories, and only those that pass testing are awarded certification.

Who/where you can get it:
Companies involved in the production, processing, and sale of textiles and textile products can get this certification. OEKO-TEX certification is provided through OEKO-TEX authorized testing institutes, which conduct the necessary tests and issue the international certification.

5. Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C)

What it is:
Cradle to Cradle certification is a comprehensive program designed for products that align with circular economy principles. This certification assesses products across five key categories: material health, product circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness.

How you get it:
During the Cradle to Cradle certification process, a product is evaluated in the aforementioned five categories. The product must demonstrate that it uses safe, healthy materials, can be recycled or repurposed, and is produced with renewable energy.

Who/where you can get it:
The C2C certification can be obtained by companies that produce products or materials, regardless of the industry. Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute directly awards this certification worldwide.

6. SEDEX/SMETA

What it is:
The SEDEX platform is a global network that enables companies to manage and share information about their supply chain practices related to sustainability, labor rights, and ethics. SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is an auditing methodology used to evaluate the ethical standards of a company’s supply chain.

How you get it:
To achieve SMETA certification, a company must become a SEDEX member and undergo an independent SMETA audit, which verifies compliance with SEDEX’s ethical trade standards. 

Companies are evaluated on four key areas: labor, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. The audit ensures compliance with international labor standards, safe working conditions, environmental management practices, and responsible business conduct, including the prevention of bribery and corruption.

Who/where you can get it:
SMETA certification is available to companies across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, cosmetics, construction, technology, and hospitality, among others. This globally available certification is managed through the SEDEX platform, and audits are conducted by independent, accredited auditing firms.

Charming's Commitment to Transparency and Sustainability 

At Charming, we’re proud to offer apparel branding materials that are fully certified by these leading sustainability organizations. Our range includes recycled labels, eco-friendly hang tags, Digital Product Passports, and greener RFID solutions. With these products, you can upgrade your packaging confidently, knowing Charming’s solutions align with your company’s sustainable values.

Get in touch with us to learn how our sustainable labels can help take your eco-friendly products to the next level!