One of the many aspects to consider when it comes to ethical fashion is that related to certification; a brand or a company are certainly more credible if production and / or products are certified and there is really a whole world behind these specific standards for each step of the supply chain, from the raw material and its origins to the final product.
This is not the scope to talk about all the certifications, even if we have happened to name several of them talking about the brands or companies that use them or to deepen the discussion with Stefano Panconesi, natural dyer and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) inspector , one who, for example, believes very much in textile certifications.
And one of the standards that certifies the positive impact on humans and the environment of entire industrial processes in a circular economy perspective is the Cradle to Cradle® (C2C, also known as ‘from cradle to cradle’), an approach which takes into account the economic, industrial and social aspects, in order to create systems that are not only efficient, but that aim to reduce waste to a minimum.
On March 16, exactly two weeks ago, the Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute released version 4.0 of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® product; it is the most ambitious and actionable standard ever created before that defines a product in terms of safety, circularity and environmental and social responsibility.
This latest certification’s version allows to:
- 1. Prioritize action across five sustainability focus areas: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness;
- 2. Enact roadmaps for change, from product innovation to operations;
- 3. Transform business models, systems and collaboration throughout the value chain;
- 4. Verify sustainability performance and measure progress;
- 5. Lead industry transformation towards a safe, circular and equitable future.
“The Cradle to Cradle certification is considered the most reliable, advanced and scientifically proven standard to use for the design and manufacture of products that maximize the health and well-being of people and our planet,” says Peter Templeton, president and CEO of Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute. “The fourth version of Cradle to Cradle Certified builds on this legacy; by equipping brands, retailers, designers and manufacturers with actionable guidelines and best practices, safer materials are chosen, significant innovations are promoted and products, systems and business models are created that have a positive impact on humans and the environment today and the future “.
The new Cradle to Cradle 4.0 certification requests will be accepted by the Institute starting from July 2021. Another step towards a less impactful management of the entire production cycle.
