What Makes a Brand Sustainable? Green Certifications

Many brands know the words you want to hear and aren’t afraid to say them. But how can you tell the ones who mean it from those who only ‘green’ it? To ensure that you aren’t falling prey to greenwashing, the answer lies in third-party certification. Impartial, third-party agencies that review products, production, and manufacturing facilities against stringent qualifications and grant certifications to qualifying products, businesses, and facilities. 

Our Mission Statement

YALA is a women-owned, women-led small business that produces incredibly soft bamboo bedding, sleepwear, and loungewear. We prioritize comfort, quality, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility in every choice we make. We aspire to elevate the lives of everyone who takes part in producing, promoting, and enjoying our products.

This is more than a statement. Several certifying organizations verify the sustainability of our products, the responsibility of our production methods, and the safety of our facilities. Here is a list of those organizations and the certifications we maintain through them: 

Our Certifications

OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX is a globally recognized certification that ensures textile products are free from harmful substances and safe for human use. It is an important certification for the textile industry, as it helps to promote sustainable and responsible production practices. It covers all stages of textile production, from raw materials to finished products, and is relevant for a wide range of industries, including clothing, home textiles, and technical textiles.

YALA has two OEKO-TEX certifications:

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 
Certifies that no residual chemicals are present in our garments and bedding when they reach the consumer.

OEKO-TEX STeP
STeP stands for Sustainable Textile & Leather Production and is a certification system for environmentally friendly and socially responsible production facilities along the supply chain. STeP by OEKO-TEX® aims to continually improve production conditions and health and safety in all business areas

FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is a globally recognized standard for responsible forest management. The FSC certification certifies that forests are managed in a way that meets strict environmental, social, and economic standards. It is relevant to a wide range of industries, including forestry, paper and pulp, furniture, and construction.

GOTS - GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a certification that ensures the organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing. It is considered the leading standard for organic textiles worldwide. GOTS certifies textiles made from organic fibers, such as cotton, wool, and silk, and ensures that they are processed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. It covers the entire supply chain, from harvesting of the raw materials to labeling of the finished product. GOTS is relevant to the textile industry, including manufacturers, processors, and traders.

YALA has two GOTS Certifications:

EcoCert Global Organic Textile Standard
Ensures that our bamboo is grown organically, in accordance with organic farming standards recognized by the Organic Content Standard (OCS), and is USDA Certified Organic. Products have been processed in accordance with the OCS.

Control Union Council Global Organic Textile Standard
This certification ensures that the cotton in our blended fabrics is organic.

RESPONSIBLE WOOL STANDARD
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a certification that ensures the welfare of sheep and the sustainable management of land. It is an important certification for the textile industry, as it provides assurance to consumers that the wool used in their products has been sourced responsibly. The RWS certifies that wool comes from farms that meet strict animal welfare and land management requirements. It ensures that sheep are treated humanely, with access to clean water, food, and shelter. Additionally, the RWS promotes sustainable land management practices, such as responsible grazing and biodiversity conservation. This certification is relevant to the textile and fashion industries, as well as to consumers who value ethical and sustainable products.

BLUESIGN
Bluesign is a certification that ensures sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the textile industry. It is highly regarded for its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of textile production and promoting the health and safety of workers. The Bluesign certification certifies that a textile product has been manufactured using sustainable processes and materials. It ensures that harmful substances are eliminated from the production process, reducing the environmental footprint. The certification is relevant to various industries, including apparel, footwear, and home textiles, where sustainability and responsible production are of utmost importance.

At YALA, a better world is written into our mission and verified through these certifications so that you can rest easy knowing what you are getting in bed with!