02-04-2020

Whether Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), Bangladesh Accord or UN Global Compact - at HAKRO we can already point to a whole range of certificates and seals. All of them testify to our consistent and comprehensive sustainability strategy. Since March the "Grüner Knopf" seal has also been part of this strategy, for which certain state-defined criteria and high environmental and social standards must be met. It is the first state sustainability seal for textiles and has been awarded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) since 2019.

26 criteria had to be met by our T-shirts and polo shirts of the Organic collection line in order to receive the seal. Important in this context: With the "Grüner Knopf", proof is provided by existing, generally recognised and credible certifications such as the GOTS seal. In addition, 20 criteria regarding our company-specific management practice, risk analysis and sustainability strategy were also checked.

Since the seal, in its introductory phase until the end of June 2021, in contrast to the GOTS seal, does not cover the entire supply chain, but only the last two processing steps (dyeing/bleaching and cutting/sewing), we discussed the added value of the "Grüner Knopf" at length internally. After all, a large proportion of our products are dyed, bleached, cut and sewn in the same GOTS-certified production plants under the same GOTS-certified working conditions as our GOTS-certified collection line Organic. Paradoxically, however, these textiles are not allowed to wear the "Grüner Knopf" due to their lack of GOTS certification.

Nevertheless, we at HAKRO see a lot of potential in the "Grüner Knopf" as an overarching government seal and an important signal for more transparency in the supply chains. As a certified company we feel strengthened in our commitment to sustainability and would like to constructively accompany and decisively shape the future development process of the new "Grüner Knopf" seal.