Baseline Standards

Note: In reviewing a company, we are looking at the whole picture and how these standards play out. That in mind, these are our principles:

• Produced using certified organic, reclaimed/recycled fibers or other sustainable material such as hemp or bamboo
• Sweatshop-free/fair labor
• Full disclosure on website, including:

sourcing criteria of manufacturing processes–where, conditions, benefits, oversight, labor certifications (such as SA8000, GOTS, FLO)-environmental and labor   standards, country of origin, verification and any ongoing challenges

• Transparency around animal derivatives

Preferences

• Dyes - natural or low-impact; fiber reactive; phosphate-free
• Fair Trade, Union label, or small independent U.S. wholesaler/retailer
• Represent diversity in body types and offers full spectrum of sizes
• Water-based adhesives
• Use recycled clothing from thrift or second-hand stores
• Carbon offsets or investigation of such options

Resources

• The Case for Organic Cotton Real Green, Sept/Oct 2006
• Confessions of a Sweatshop Inspector Washington Monthly April 2008
• Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers
• http://www.happygreenbee.com/organic.cfm
• www.cleanclothes.org
• www.organicexchange.org
• Responsible Sourcing Network