- Regina Henkel
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Official Fairtrade seals have so far only been found on agricultural
products such as coffee, bananas, tea or even cotton. Indian garment
manufacturer Purecotz is now the first textile factory that has been
certified according to the Fairtrade textile standard.
Pioneering more fairness in the textile sector
With the certification, Purecotz commits itself to paying living wages
to all of its one thousand employees within the next six years. In addition
to fair wages, the textile standard provides for further measures regarding
work safety, employment contracts and complaint mechanisms as well as the
freedom of association and the freedom to choose and form a trade union.
Purecotz works exclusively with organic cotton fabrics – a large part of
which is Fairtrade certified. For founder and managing director Amit Narke,
the certification was a consistent step towards an even more sustainable
and fairer production. “We follow the path of continuous improvement. Our
goal is a balance between economic, ecological and social sustainability.
The Fairtrade textile standard is an important signpost and source of
inspiration in this respect”, explains Narke. But it is also a business
risk. “Purecotz is taking the first step here, which makes it all the more
important that fashion companies follow this commitment and switch to fair
textiles,” says Dieter Overath, managing chairman of the board of TransFair
e.V. (Fairtrade Germany).
First license partners for Fairtrade textiles
The first license partners for Fairtrade textiles have already been
found with fashion companies Melawear and Brands Fashion. Both
manufacturers are long-standing Fairtrade partners in the textile sector.
“We have worked towards this day with a lot of energy. Now that we are also
licensees of the textile standard, the goal of fair produced textiles is
within reach,” explaines Henning Siedentopp, managing director of Melawear.
In addition, a spinning mill and a ginning mill are to be certified before
the end of the year. Then Melawear would have access to a completely
Fairtrade-certified supply chain. Because only when all steps of textile
production are certified – from cotton ginning to yarn and fabric
production to sewing – will companies be allowed to use the Fairtrade
textile seal for their products.
Clothing and corporate wear manufacturer Brands Fashion is also working
on implementing the Fairtrade textile standard: “Our goal for 2020 is the
certification of the world’s first supply chain. This way, we are
strengthening workers’ rights and thus ensuring the payment of living wages
in the long run,” says Rabea Schafrick, deputy head of sustainability at
Brands Fashion.
Fairtrade was also present at sustainable fair Neonyt, which took place
from 14th to 16th January 2020 in Berlin, Germany. TransFair, the German
offshoot of the international association Fairtrade International e.V., was
available for more information as well.
Photo: Anand Parmar
This article was originally published on FashionUnited DE. Edited
and translated by Simone Preuss.
