Fairtrade Cotton Standard

Every MELA textile has its origins in the cotton field – with the people who grow the raw material. In global supply chains, however, they often fade into the background. All our products are certified according to the Fairtrade Cotton Standard. 

A Fairtrade Minimum Price provides cotton farmers with more financial security when world market prices fluctuate. In addition, the cooperatives receive a Fairtrade Premium, the use of which they decide for themselves. At the RDFC cooperative in Gujarat, the 2025 premium was used, among other things, for drinking water canisters and rechargeable batteries for irrigation at night, for soil and seed testing for quality assurance, and to fund a preschool teacher for 42 children. 

Furthermore, mandatory requirements regarding labor rights, health, and the environment apply. Child and forced labor are prohibited, as are genetically modified seeds and certain hazardous pesticides. Compliance with these social, economic, and environmental criteria is audited annually by the independent certification body FLO CERT.

GOTS

For us, organically grown cotton is just the beginning. That is why the entire MELA range is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Because before a fiber becomes a finished garment, it goes through many processing steps: spinning, dyeing and washing, weaving or knitting, and finally, manufacturing.

At every stage of production, there are specific ecological and social challenges, such as those caused by chemicals, wastewater, or local working conditions. GOTS sets binding requirements for all these areas. For example, azo dyes that can release carcinogenic amines, formaldehyde, and PFAS are prohibited.

And the requirements apply not only to the outer fabric: prints, sewing threads, buttons, and zippers must also meet the standard's requirements. Independent certification bodies verify that these requirements are met. In addition, we voluntarily have our products tested for chemical residues in independent laboratories.

The Green Button

Who bears responsibility for a global supply chain? We are convinced that a transformation in the textile industry can only succeed through the interaction of companies and policymakers. This is precisely where the Green Button comes in: as the first government-run textile seal, it combines product requirements with the due diligence obligations of companies along the supply chain. 

MELA has accompanied the development of the Green Button from the very beginning and has actively contributed to the creation process. Our entire product range is certified according to the Green Button. An important part of this is the question: where in our supply chain could risks for human rights and the environment arise? Together with our partners, we develop measures to mitigate them. This includes, for example, promoting living wages. Requirements are also placed on the products themselves—such as the use of chemicals or the handling of wastewater. Compliance with these criteria is regularly monitored by independent auditing bodies.