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Why supplier documentation matters

EU sustainability regulation for fashion brands

EU sustainability regulation is changing how fashion brands collect, verify and communicate product information. The focus is moving from general sustainability language to traceable data about fibre content, chemical safety, recycled content, durability, circularity and supply chain responsibility. For suppliers, this means certificates and documentation need to match the exact fabric, colour, finish and article.

Not every rule requires the same certificate. Some rules are about product design, some about labelling, some about environmental claims and some about supply chain due diligence. The safest approach is to ask suppliers for article-level proof, not only general company statements.

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Why supplier documentation matters

The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles sets a 2030 direction in which textile products placed on the EU market should be more durable, repairable, recyclable, largely made from recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced with respect for social rights and the environment.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation also introduces a framework for future product requirements and digital product passports, including information that may become relevant for textiles.

What your suppliers should document

Suppliers should be able to show what a fabric is made from, how it was tested and which claims are supported. This is especially important for fabrics sold as organic, recycled, safer for skin contact, water-repellent, UV-protective or quick drying.

Key documents to request:

  • Fibre composition per article.
  • Valid OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certificate when harmful-substance testing is claimed.
  • GOTS certificate when an organic textile claim is made.
  • GRS certificate when recycled content is claimed.
  • Test reports for performance claims such as QuickDry, UPF50 or water resistance.
  • Care instructions and shrinkage information.
  • Country of origin or supply chain traceability when required.
  • Confirmation that the certificate applies to the exact fabric quality, colour or finish.

Certifications that support textile claims

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 supports textile safety claims because it tests textile products for harmful substances, from yarn to finished product. It does not mean that a fabric is organic or recycled.

GOTS supports organic textile claims because it is a textile processing standard for organic fibres and includes environmental and social criteria throughout the value chain.

GRS supports recycled-content claims because it verifies and tracks recycled raw materials through the supply chain and includes processing criteria.

Practical tip

Match every sustainability claim to the right proof. “Organic” needs different documentation than “tested for harmful substances”, and “recycled polyester” needs a different certificate than a general sustainability statement.

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Written by

Tim Zanoni Nooteboom Textiles

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