Labels ensure transparency and help purchasers to make decisions. Want a clearer idea of what each label means? Here we briefly explain the most important labels and terms used to designate sustainable products in Transa’s range.
Click on the labels and terms to go straight to the explanation.
Material decomposes over a certain period of time through biological activity, such as microorganisms or enzymes. It is broken down into its main components, mainly water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
The bluesign system promotes responsible chemical management, reduced environmental impact and improved worker safety. Brands can be members without the products being automatically certified.
This label means that a specific component, such as a fabric or accessory, meets bluesign criteria for environmental responsibility, safer chemistry and resource efficiency.
Consumer products bearing the bluepass Consumer Product label meet strict safety and environmental requirements and consist of at least 90% bluepass Article fabrics and 30% bluepass Article accessories.
Vegetable or synthetic tannins are used in the production of this leather, but chromium salts are not. Leather labelled as ‘chrome-free tanned’ may contain a maximum of 0.1% chromium III.
Econyl is a recycled nylon fibre. Waste (e.g. ocean waste from old fishing nets) is converted into ECONYL® regenerated nylon. The fibre can be recycled an infinite number of times and is equivalent to nylon manufactured from scratch.
The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is an initiative to improve working conditions. The member companies are committed to following the FLA Code of Conduct, the requirements of which are based on the core labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), e.g. prohibition of child and forced labour, freedom of association and protection against discrimination. They must also introduce an internal control system to verify these standards throughout the entire supply chain.
Fair Trade Certified is the certification of the US Fair Trade Factory programme, which belongs to Fair Trade USA. The factory certification is intended to improve the livelihoods of employees. In order to obtain the certification, a factory must meet the requirements of the Factory Production Standard. This includes, among other things, fair and safe working conditions, reasonable working hours and wages, the prohibition of child and forced labour, protection against discrimination, and health and environment protection.
The Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independent non-governmental organisation that promotes better working conditions in the textile and clothing industry. It places particular emphasis on labour-intensive production steps, especially apparel manufacturing, i.e. cutting and sewing of clothes. Companies that work with the FWF are committed to adhering to strict labour standards, including fair wages, safe working conditions, reasonable working hours and a ban on child and forced labour.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a stringent international standard for textiles made from organically produced natural fibres. It covers the entire production chain – from the cultivation of the fibres, e.g. cotton, to the finished textile – and, in addition to the organic certification, it also sets high ecological and social requirements for the processing. This includes, among other things, the use of certain chemicals, environmental and wastewater regulations and requirements for working conditions. Textiles with at least 70% organic natural fibres can use the GOTS label ‘Made with Organic’ GOTS label; if they have 95% organic content or more, the ‘Organic’ label can be used.
The Green Shape label was developed by VAUDE and stands for functional, more environmentally friendly products that are manufactured according to defined sustainability criteria. The criteria include the use of sustainable materials, environmentally friendly production and the durability of the products. The Green Shape system has since been developed into an open-access standard, allowing other brands to use the criteria. Since 2026, the standard is being developed into an independent certification standard.
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) checks origin materials, production chains, environmental principles, social requirements and the labelling of textile products made from recycled materials. A product must contain at least 20% recycled material to meet the requirements of the standard. If the GRS logo is to be used directly on the product, however, a recycled content of at least 50% is required.
The Grüner Knopf (Green Button) is a state seal (German Federal Government, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) that reflects certain social and environmental standards. Textile products marketed with the Grüner Knopf (Green Button) must already be certified under other credible third-party certification standards.
Mulesing is a painful practice in sheep farming where the skin and tissue around the tail of a sheep is removed. It is mainly used in Merino sheep to prevent a fly larvae infestation (myiasis). The procedure is often performed without adequate pain relief, making it controversial from an animal welfare standpoint.
NetPlus® (from Buereo) is a recycled nylon fibre. It is made from unusable nets collected from fishing villages in South America and then processed into 100% recycled nylon pellets. These pellets can then be turned into moulded plastic products, components or fibres.
An independent testing and certification system for raw, intermediate and finished textile products at all stages of processing.
The Leather Standard by Oeko-Tex® is a globally harmonised testing and certification system for leather products at all stages of production, including the accessories used.
Oeko-Tex® Made in Green is a traceable label for textiles tested for harmful substances, which also places requirements on the production conditions. The prerequisites include certification in accordance with Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 and STeP certification of the relevant production facilities.
Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) is a certification system for production plants encompassing all the processing stages of ready-to-wear textile products. The aim of the label is to permanently implement environmentally friendly production processes in production facilities in the textile and leather industry and to promote occupational safety and socially acceptable working conditions.
The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a globally recognised testing and certification system for textiles. The aim of the label is to ensure that textile products are tested for harmful substances and are harmless to health. All components of a product such as fabrics, sewing threads, buttons and zippers are taken into account.
Food sector: natural product created via organic farming
Clothing sector: fibres produced via certified organic farming.
The Ortovox Wool Promise (OWP) is Ortovox’s own wool standard that was developed in 2017 and built on the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) established at the time, but goes beyond these requirements. Among other things, the OWP includes strict requirements on animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, transport and slaughter as well as a ban on mulesing.
This product is not intentionally treated with PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds) and does not contain any PFAS-based membrane or DWR impregnation.
Contains components that are not intentionally treated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
DWR impregnation does not contain any intentionally added PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds).
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an international standard for the protection of animals during the harvesting of down and feathers. Among other things, it bans live plucking and forced fattening and sets requirements for the animal wellbeing of ducks and geese until slaughter. Compliance with the criteria is regularly checked along the supply chain by independent certification bodies and the origin of the certified down is traced.
Recyclable materials can be kept in circulation for as long as possible as part of a technical or biological cycle. In the technical cycle, materials are reused, repaired or recycled, for example, while biological materials can be returned to the natural cycle after their use. This means that less primary raw materials are required, the value of products and materials is retained for longer and less waste is generated.
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is an international standard for responsibly produced wool. It imposes strict requirements on animal wellbeing, including the husbandry, feeding and veterinary care of sheep, compliance with the ‘five freedoms’ and prohibits mulesing. In addition, pasture management, soil and biodiversity protection, as well as social and occupational safety aspects on farms are taken into account. Compliance is regularly checked by independent certification bodies and the certified wool is traced along the supply chain.
Free from animal constituents.
ZQ Merino is a wool standard developed by the New Zealand Merino Company that comprehensively assesses husbandry and management on certified farms. The requirements include animal wellbeing and animal health, the prohibition of mulesing, the protection of soil, water and biodiversity, as well as social responsibility and wool quality. The wool can be traced back to the farm and compliance with the requirements is regularly checked by independent certification bodies. ZQ-certified farms have also met the requirements of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) since 2021.
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