Materials and Sustainability Labels Explained
A fibre name does not establish a garment's environmental impact. The source, processing, construction, use and care all matter. Certifications can help answer specific questions, but they do not all assess the same things.
What do the labels cover?
| Label or standard | Main focus | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| GOTS | Organic fibres and environmental and social criteria in textile processing. | It does not mean that every product made by a brand is certified. |
| OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 | Testing textiles for harmful substances. | It is not, on its own, proof of organic fibres or animal welfare. |
| Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) | Animal welfare, land management and chain of custody for wool. | A brand using wool is not automatically RWS certified. |
| Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) | Animal welfare, land management and chain of custody for mohair. | The abbreviation is RMS. Mohair content alone does not establish certification. |
| Leather Working Group (LWG) | Auditing leather manufacturing facilities against its standard. | A tannery audit is not a guarantee of a finished bag's durability or the certification of every component. |
Check the claim on the actual product
- Look for the named standard and the scope of the claim. A reference to a brand's general commitments is different from evidence for the item you are buying.
- Check the certificate or label details through the standard's official resources when provided.
- Read the complete composition. A recycled-content claim should identify which material or component it concerns.
- Ask for clarification if a product uses a broad term such as 'sustainable' without explaining what supports it.
This guide explains standards; it does not state that every Espace Cannelle product or designer is certified. Any product-specific claim should be supported by the information supplied for that item.
Consider use and maintenance
Think about whether the piece fits your wardrobe, how often you expect to use it and whether you can follow its care instructions. Fibre choice alone cannot establish which garment has the lowest overall impact.
Read how to assess quality and how to care for clothing. For texture and construction comparisons, see the materials guide.
If certification information is important to your choice and is not shown on a product page, contact us about that item before buying.