Germany activates green button to certify its eco textile in September

The German government has started a Grüner Knopt (green button in its German meaning) in which it would support all textile articles that follow certain social and environmental criteria.

Germany would dictate from September what is eco fashion. The German government starts its last bet toward sustainability, Grüner Knopt (green button in its German meaning), that will join every article that follow some social and environmental criteria.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will be in charge of this certification and will evaluate companies and its products. For now, starting next month, a pilot test will be executed up until the end of 2020.

This certification counts with 26 requisites in terms of social and environmental responsibility. Companies that want to add this seal will have to prove its performance in terms of human rights like the ones established by the UN and the Ocde. One the criteria for example is the payment of a fair salary.

Companies that want to join will have to follow 26 requisites in terms of social and environmental responsibility

In the first phase, that will go up until 2021, its will be applied specifically in industrial process, cut, confection, dyes, amongst others. In the following years, it will extend to the rest of the processes.

The certification will be to all the companies that manufacture and commercialize any type of textile item, including suppliers and retailers. Intermediaries won’t be considered. This certification has also raised criticism. Organizations like Clean Clothes Campaign in Germany stated that is a very soft measure, because it’s a voluntary and not mandatory certification.