We want to ensure our products are good for both people and planet. We believe it is important to be accountable and responsible with how we operate, and we work with various certification bodies to ensure we are constantly improving in this critical area of performance. The list below comprises the main certifications we carry. Click on the links to learn more about our various certifications and assessments. You can also learn about our Good Earth 2035 vision HERE. You can view our certifications here.
1) Raw Material Certifications
We source cotton and jute from a number of different factories, mills and suppliers. The list below contains our most common fabric suppliers along with their accreditations. We also complete regular audit checks of our suppliers as part of our commitment to WFTO operating principles. Check out a blank sample form at the bottom of this article.
Chetna works with small and marginal farmers towards improving their livelihood options and making farming a sustainable and profitable occupation. Chetna work with farmers from the rainfed regions of Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh covering around 43,500 acres. From 234 farmer members in 2004 to around 35,852 in 2014, Chetna’s strength has been collective action and the fair supply chain. Chetna assists and works to improve farm productivity, promote food security, get better prices for their crops and invest in health, education and business infrastructure within their communities. A self elected association: the Chetna Organic Farmer Association (COFA) has been established with the assistance of staff and support agencies. COFA as a platform not only helps farmers to voice concerns, share space in the textile supply chain and understand its complexities, but also helps farmers to have a better negotiation position.
Ethics and certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- FLOCERT (FLO ID 4018)
RCM was set up in 1934 in Kolkata, West Bengal. They combine high quality tailoring with a fair deal for farmers and workers, RCM use mostly organic and Fair Trade cotton as well as other sustainable fibers such as Tencel, Modal and Linen. The cotton is certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), FLO-Fairtrade and Fair Trade-USA.
RCM sources its cotton from Chetna Organic Cotton. RCM orients its production around sustainability; it is certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and reuses 50 percent of its waste water. This is achieved by collaborating with dye houses and installing reverse osmosis machines. Sludge is converted into fertilizer and fabric scraps are taken from the cutting tables and recycled to produce paper.
RCM management and staff collaborate with a local NGO to calculate a living wage for employees every six months, and ensure that the lowest paid workers are paid above this rate. Wages are verified by independent third party audits to ensure compliance with Fair Trade USA standards. In addition, 10% of RCM shares have been gifted to the Chetna farmers, so the farmers now receive a share of RCM profits.
Ethics and certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- FLOCERT (FLO ID 4512)
- SA 8000
- ISO9001:2000
- OEKOTEX100
SSV provides the cotton sheeting and canvas used in many Joyya bags. The company was launched in 2011 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The mill specializes in organic, non-organic, BCI and OEKO TEX fabrics.
Ethics and certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
- Organic Content Standard (OCS)
- Better Cotton Initiative (BCI ID 10030
- OEKOTEX100
TTT is a Kolkata-based provider for cotton sheeting and canvas used in many Joyya bags. The company was launched in 1994 and specializes in certified fabrics including Jute, Cotton and Polyester.
Ethics and certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
- FLOCERT (FLO ID 42351)
Gloster is a world leader in providing certified, ethical jute fabric. With over 64 years of management experience in manufacturing and selling jute, the organization is a leader in ethical production. Gloster relies on the triple bottom approach, whereby they believe that the long term value of business is inherently dependent on social, environmental and financial performance of the company. This statement by the company gives an overview of key initiatives in this area. TEST
Ethics and certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- FLOCERT (FLO ID 25971)
- SA 8000:2014
- ISO9001:2015
- OEKOTEX100
2) Production Certifications
Our main production processes involve cutting, sewing, printing and packing products. For the past decade, our focus has been (a) ensuring we source from ethical and accountable manufacturers and (b) to develop our own systems to be a world class model on how to do business that is good for people and places.
If we’re honest, Freeset has a long way to go in that goal. We’re a young company in an industry traditionally known for poor labor and environmental practices. It is difficult to change attitudes and hearts of ourselves, our suppliers and our customers. But we believe it can be done. Our early days were about proving that a business built on people from difficult and at-risk communities can work. We want our next chapter to be about proving they can indeed transform.
Ethics and certifications:
- World Fair Trade Organization Certified Member
- A+ Ethical Fashion Grade from Baptist World Aid (2019)