MADE IN GREEN
MADE IN GREEN is a labeling mark for textile and leather products that verifies production processes with consideration for environmental impact and social responsibility, in addition to testing for harmful substances.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
MADE IN GREEN is a voluntary labeling mark for textile and leather products by OEKO-TEX. It is not a law or official regulation itself; it combines requirements for harmful substances in products with environmental and social requirements for manufacturing facilities.
The scope covers not only fabric but also finished goods such as apparel and home textile products. The label assigns identification information to each product, and a system is used to verify the certified products and production processes.
Scope and How the Criteria Are Defined
This label requires that products meet testing standards for harmful substances, and that the facilities involved in manufacturing meet requirements related to environmental management and working conditions. Its distinguishing feature is the concept of understanding the related processes from raw materials to sewing.
Therefore, it is not a system that certifies only a specific fiber name, the use of organic raw materials, or the blending of recycled materials. It can apply regardless of material type, such as cotton or polyester, but the certification scope must be checked for each product.
- Requirements related to harmful substances contained in the product
- Management of environmentally conscious manufacturing facilities
- Manufacturing facility requirements related to labor safety and social responsibility
- Information on traceability for products and production processes
Points to Check When Sourcing Fabric and Making Products
Even if you source certified fabric, that fabric alone may not allow the same label to be attached to a finished product. From the planning stage, check whether the processes leading to the finished product, such as dyeing, printing, sourcing of accessories, and sewing, and the components used, comply with the label's applicable conditions.
With suppliers, confirm not only the fabric certificate but also the applicable product number, color, lot, validity period of the certification, and the processing scope covered. If you are turning it into a product, organizing supply chain information including the secondary materials and processing partners used will make the verification work easier.
How Labels and Certificates Are Handled
When displaying the MADE IN GREEN name, label, and identification information on swing tags, product pages, packaging, or similar items, make sure the relationship to the certified product is clear. Avoid using it for colors, specifications, or post-processed items outside the certification scope, or displaying it in a way that suggests it applies to the entire product even when it does not.
Certificate and label information should be checked and retained, including the issuing body, covered product, certification number, and validity. A broad expression such as "eco-friendly" does not clearly convey the scope of the certification, so it is important to explain, based on facts, what the label has verified.
Differences from Similar Terms
OEKO-TEX is sometimes used as a general term for various certifications and labels of OEKO-TEX. Among them, MADE IN GREEN is a label that covers product requirements for harmful substances as well as the environmental and social aspects of production facilities and traceability.
GOTS is mainly a certification for products made from organic fibers and their processing and social requirements. bluesign is a system that emphasizes chemical management and resource efficiency. Since each scheme differs in purpose, scope, and labeling conditions, do not judge them as equivalent based on the name alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I use MADE IN GREEN fabric, can I also display the label on the finished garment?
Not necessarily. To display it as a finished product, the related processes including secondary materials other than the fabric, post-processing such as printing and washing, and sewing must comply with the certification conditions and scope for that product. Do not judge based on the fabric certificate alone; check the application and labeling conditions for the finished product.
Is MADE IN GREEN a certification for organic materials?
It is not a system that certifies only the inclusion of organic materials or cultivation methods. In addition to product requirements related to harmful substances, it covers requirements for manufacturing facilities that take environmental and social considerations into account. If you want to claim organic content, check the scope of the raw material certification or product certification separately.
What are the label's identification details used for?
The identification details on the label are used to verify information about the certified product and its production process. When placing orders or creating labels, confirm that the identification details match your company's product number, color, and specifications. The method for checking the information and the scope of disclosure follow the label guidance and the details on the certificate.
