We have set ourselves the goal of using predominantly more sustainable raw materials by 2030 at the latest. This includes promoting animal welfare in addition to more sustainable cotton and the use of recycled fibers. The use of mulesing-free wool and the use of exclusively more sustainable down are just as self-evident for us as the abandonment of fur, which has been established since 2015. Wherever possible, we already replace materials with more sustainable raw materials without disregarding our design claim.

In addition, we have developed our own quality standard, which is specifically based on the ecological parameters of the OEKO-TEX Standard100, the AFIRM Group (Apparel & Footwear International RSL Management Working Group) and GOTS 7.0 (Global Organic Textile Standard). This high quality standard is an integral part of our procurement philosophy and is continuously developed by us. Supported by the cooperative partnership with our suppliers, we ensure through our Restricted Substances List (RSL) that our products comply with the relevant legal requirements of Switzerland, the EU and the current Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the implementation of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACh) including Annex XVII. We ensure compliance with these requirements through self-initiated testing at independent testing institutes.

In addition to the high quality standards of the products, HOLY FASHION GROUP relies on a variety of valuable textile standards for compliance with environmental requirements as well as ethical standards.

THE GREEN BUTTON

The Green Button is a government-run certification label for sustainably manufactured textiles. It sets out mandatory requirements to protect people and the environment in the textile production process. A total of 46 stringent social and environmental standards must be met. Independent auditors review compliance with the criteria.

From 2023, selected products in our collection will be certified with the Green Button seal.

You can find more information about the Green Button here: https://www.gruener-knopf.de/en

In addition to the ban on environmentally hazardous substances and restrictions on the accessories used (buttons, zips, etc.), the environmental criteria also include technical quality parameters such as friction- and wash-resistance as well as perspiration- and light-fastness. The social criteria are based on the key standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the standards of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The standard has two labelling levels: “Organic” for textiles that contain at least 95% organic fibres and “Made with organic” (“manufactured with organic fibres”) for textiles that contain at least 70% organic fibres.

Further information about GOTS can be found here https://global-standard.org/

ORGANIC CONTENT STANDARD

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) verifies textile fibres that originate from controlled organic cultivation. The standard was developed by the non-governmental organisation Textile Exchange. Certification with OCS takes place at every stage of the supply chain, from raw material extraction to the end product. Products labelled OCS Blended contain at least 5% materials from controlled organic cultivation.

The OCS 100 label identifies textiles that consist of at least 95% materials from controlled organic cultivation..

More information about OCS can be found here: https://textileexchange.org/organic-content-standard/

GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an internationally recognised textile standard for products made from recycled materials.

The seal is provided by the non-governmental organisation Textile Exchange. The standard requires compliance with social, environmental and chemical regulations along the entire supply chain.

The aim is to increase the percentage of recycled materials. The GSR logo may only be used on the end product when a product consists of at least 50% certified recycled material.

Further information about GRS can be found here: https://textileexchange.org/standards/recycled-claim-standard-global-recycled-standard/

RECYCLED CLAIM STANDARD

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) of Textile Exchange aims to increase the use of recycled materials in textile products. For a product to be awarded the RCS, each stage of the supply chain must be independently certified, from the recycling stage of raw materials through to the brand.
The Recycled Claim Standard Blended (RCS Blended) is applicable to all products that contain at least 5% recycled material.

The Recycled Claim Standard 100 (RCS 100) applies to products with 95% or more recycled material.

Further information can be found here: https://textileexchange.org/recycled-claim-global-recycled-standard/

RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL FIBERS

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an international, voluntary standard that addresses animal welfare of duck and geese. It ensures that down and feathers do not come from supply chains where animals have been subjected to any unnecessary harm, such as live plucking or force-feeding.

Textile Exchange's Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) aims to improve the welfare of sheep and protect the land they graze on. The standard certifies the entire value chain from the wool farmers to the final product. RWS-certified farmers must meet strict animal welfare requirements, including a ban on mulesing. Mulesing is a procedure used on young merino sheep to prevent infestation of fly maggots in the animals' wool. It involves removing a piece of skin from the animal's tail, which serves as a nesting site for the flies' eggs. The procedure is often done without anesthesia and aftercare to prevent inflammation, which is painful and distressing for the animals. While this type of fly is common in Australia, it does not exist in countries such as Uruguay, Patagonia, South America, South Africa, Spain and Portugal. Therefore, we source our merino wool exclusively from countries that can guarantee mulesing-free wool.

More information about the RWS can be found here: https://textileexchange.org/standards/responsible-wool/

The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) ensures the welfare of mohair goats and also takes into account environmental criteria. The voluntary standard also belongs to the organization Textile Exchange. RMS-certified mohair fibers can be tracked from the farm to the final product.

Textile Exchange's Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) promotes responsible animal welfare and land management practices for alpaca fiber production. The standard assures, that alpaca fiber comes from farms with a progressive approach to managing their land, and from alpacas that have been treated responsibly. RAS-certified alpaca fibers can be tracked from the farm to the final product.

Please visit https://textileexchange.org/standards/ for information about the RDS, RWS, RMS and RAS.

BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE

Since April 2020, we are a proud member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).

Better Cotton is sourced through a mass balance system and is not physically traceable to the end products. BCI farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in the same quantities as we source.

The HOLY FASHION GROUP is committed to sourcing 50% of our cotton as “more sustainable cotton” by 2025 with its three brands STRELLSON, JOOP! and windsor. “More sustainable cotton” includes Better Cotton, recycled cotton, organic cotton and GOTS or OCS certified cotton.

More information about the Better Cotton Initiative can be found here:https://bettercotton.org/

LEATHER WORKING GROUP

HOLY FASHION GROUP joined Leather Working Group in 2023 to support more responsible leather manufacturing.

The global multistakeholder, Leather Working Group (LWG), is a member-led non profit organization that is dedicated to driving excellence in the leather industry, minimizing the environmental impact of leather production, and challenging industry perceptions, through a suite of tools and ESG certification.

For more information, please visit: https://www.leatherworkinggroup.com/

REPREVE

We use recycled fibers of the renowned brand REPREVE® in some selected products. REPREVE® is made from 100% recycled materials, in particular used PET bottles.

The PET bottles are collected, cleaned and sorted, then shredded and melted down into plastic granules. In an energy- and resource-saving procedure, high-quality polyester yarns are then produced.

Thanks to the U-Trust Fiberprint technology developed by REPREVE®, the origin of the fibers can be clearly verified.

More information is available here: https://unifi.com/