Certificates
Fairtrade Cotton Standard
The Fairtrade Cotton standard stands for the fair production of organic cotton. Together with Fairtrade Germany, MELA has followed the path of fair production from the very beginning and is making an active contribution to solving social injustice in the textile industry: All of our products and collections are 100% certified according to the Fairtrade Cotton standard.
Annual inspections by FLO CERT guarantee compliance with the criteria of the standard. These include a fixed purchase price for organic cotton and the highest social and environmental standards during cultivation. In addition, the farmers' cooperatives receive a Fairtrade premium, which is used for community projects such as schools or local infrastructure. The standard establishes long-term and direct trading relationships with Indian cotton farmers, improves their working conditions and strengthens their rights . In this way, even the weakest link in the textile supply chain, the small farmers, are fairly paid and supported.
GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world's leading standard for the processing of textiles made from ecologically produced natural fibers. We want our textiles not to cause environmental problems. That's why the entire MELA range is GOTS-certified. Our textiles are made from 100% Indian organic cotton. With the GOTS, comprehensive ecological criteria are bindingly defined along the entire supply chain and monitored by independent certification bodies. From the extraction of the raw fibers to environmentally and socially compatible production to the distribution of the end products, the standard covers all stages and offers a high level of product safety. The standard prohibits toxic ingredients and sets limit values for others if they would otherwise harm people or the environment. We consistently avoid plasticizers, formaldehyde, heavy metals or optical brighteners, thus protecting skin and the environment. All ingredients such as dyes, sewing threads, prints or buckles that are used for our MELA products comply with the ecological standards of the GOTS. In addition, all materials and products are tested for chemical residues by an independent laboratory.
The Green Button
The Green Button is the first German government textile certification that assesses and certifies companies based on social and environmental sustainability criteria in textile production. We are convinced that a real change towards a sustainable textile industry can only be achieved through cooperation with political actors. That is why were actively involved in the introduction of the new seal from the beginning. The 46 requirements of the seal include social and ecological criteria that are checked at both product and company level. In addition to environmentally friendly production, the focus is on social working conditions such as occupational safety, minimum wages and the prohibition of forced and child labor. First, the areas of manufacturing and wet processes such as dyeing are checked. Here, the Green Button includes, among other things, limit values for wastewater, bans on toxic chemicals and plasticizers as well as a pollutant test of the natural fibers used. Certification is carried out by independent testing bodies to ensure the highest level of transparency and safety for consumers.
Downloads on the topic of sustainability
Discover our commitment to sustainability through the following resources available for download: