Common Phrases to Know

Biodegradable

Biodegradable products are capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. In contrast with the term "compostable", biodegradable products can break down anywhere, and don't require certain conditions.

Carbon Neutral

Companies that are carbon neutral make no net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, especially through offsetting emissions by planting trees.

Certified B Corp

Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Certified B Corporations achieve a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment—a rigorous assessment of a company’s impact on its workers, customers, community, and environment—and make their B Impact Report transparent on bcorporation.net.

Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct holds the detailed standards to which a company holds its supplier(s) accountable. Codes of conduct vary in content and level of commitment. Having a code of conduct contributes to a brand's transparency.

Compostable

Compostable products require a specific setting in order to break down, but generally break down faster than biodegradable products.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly products have reduced, minimal, or no harm upon ecosystems or the environment.

Emissions

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. At this pace, the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50 % by 2030. Greenhouse gases are trapping heat in our atmosphere, leading to global warming. This is why it's important for companies to reduce their emisions.

Ethical

Ethical companies design, manufacture, and distribute their products in a way that uses minimal resources and creates minimal waste. In other words, ethical brands are better for our planet!

Fair Trade

When products are Fairtrade Certified, it means that they were produced in accordance with Fairtrade International's rigorous environmental, economic and social standards.

Fair Wages

A so-called Fair Wage might use Living Wage as a foundation, but add in factors for inflation as well as corporate concerns such as overtime pay and profit sharing. They’re intended to ensure contractors pay decent wages on government contracts instead of slashing wages and benefits.

GOTS Certified

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. The standard covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres.

Living Wage

A Living Wage is the wage needed to provide the minimum income necessary to pay for basic needs such as food, housing, and reasonable discretionary expenditures It is based on the cost of living in a specific community.

Oeko Tex Standard 100 Certified

If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, every component of this article, i.e. every thread, button and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless for human health.

Organic

The standard covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibers.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.

SA8000 Certified

The SA8000® Standard is the leading social certification standard for factories and organizations across the globe. The Standard has evolved into an overall framework that helps certified organizations demonstrate their dedication to the fair treatment of workers across industries and in any country.

Sustainable Fabrics

Fabrics derived from eco-friendly resources, such as sustainably grown fiber crops or recycled materials. Examples include: organic linen, organic cotton, organic hemp, recycled cotton, organic bamboo, econyl, recycled polyester, lyocell, modal, bamboo lyocell, cupro, and apple leather.

Traces Supply Chain

Traceability affects supply chain efficiency, product safety and security, managing deep tier risks, on-time delivery performance, troubleshooting customer issues, controlling costs, and regulatory compliance.

Transparent

Business transparency is the process of being open, honest, and straightforward about various company operations. Transparent companies share information relating to performance, small business revenue, internal processes, sourcing, pricing, and business values.

Vegan

Also referred to as "cruelty-free", vegan products are made without using and harming animals, including no animal by-products either.

WTFO Guarantee System

Assesses the entirety of a business, not just a specific product, ingredient or supply chain. It includes an assessment of the enterprise’s structure and business model, its operations and its supply chains.