Checklist for brands
Key Questions to ask suppliers for sustainable product certification
Certifications and Compliance
- What certifications do your products and facilities hold, such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or FSC?
- Are these certifications current and valid? Can you provide the necessary documentation?
- Do the certifications directly apply to the specific products I am sourcing?
Material Sourcing
- Where do you source your raw materials, and are they certified?
- Can you trace these certified materials from their origin through to the finished product?
- What measures do you take to ensure materials comply with sustainability standards, such as recycled content or organic verification?
Supply Chain Transparency
- How transparent is your supply chain? Can you provide a detailed overview of each stage of production?
- Are audits or third-party verifications conducted at various points in the supply chain?
- What actions do you take to guarantee ethical and sustainable practices at all levels?
Environmental Impact
- How do you monitor and reduce the use of water, energy, and chemicals in your facilities?
- What waste management and recycling strategies are implemented?
- Can you provide data on your carbon footprint or environmental impact assessments?
Labor and Social Practices
- How do you ensure your facilities comply with labor laws and uphold ethical standards?
- Are workers provided fair wages, safe working conditions, and appropriate benefits?
- What certifications or audits, such as SA8000 or BSCI, validate your labor practices?
Product Development and Customization
- Are you able to develop custom materials or processes to align with specific certifications or sustainability goals?
- Do you offer innovative solutions, such as low-impact dyes or zero-waste production techniques?
Emerging Trends and Practices
- What new sustainable practices or certifications are you currently adopting?
- Are you preparing for future industry standards, such as Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) or circular economy requirements?
Validation and Collaboration
- Can you assist with the certification process for my products by providing documentation or facilitating audits?
- Are you open to collaborating on sustainability initiatives or pilot projects?
- How do you ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in the markets where my products will be sold?
Checklist for manufacturers
Key questions for sustainability certification and standards
Certifications and Documentation
- What certifications are currently held by your facility (e.g., GRS, ISO 14001..)?
- Are these certifications valid and up-to-date, and can you provide supporting documentation?
- Do these certifications cover specific products, processes, or the entire facility?
Material Sourcing
- Are your raw materials certified under standards such as GOTS, FSC, or Fair Trade?
- Can you trace these materials throughout the supply chain and provide certification evidence?
- How do you ensure that your material suppliers’ sustainability claims are credible and verified?
Supply Chain Transparency
- Can you provide a comprehensive map of your supply chain, including all tiers?
- What systems or protocols are in place to uphold ethical and sustainable practices across your supply chain?
- Are you open to third-party audits or verifications to validate your supply chain integrity?
Environmental Impact
- How do you track and manage resource consumption, such as water, energy, and raw materials, during production?
- What strategies do you use to minimize waste and implement effective waste management?
- Do you measure greenhouse gas emissions and actively work to reduce your carbon footprint?
Labor and Social Practices
- What measures do you take to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and compliance with labor laws?
- Do you hold social responsibility certifications like SA8000 or BSCI?
- How do you monitor and enforce labor rights and ethical practices throughout your supply chain?
Product Development Support
- Can you collaborate with brands to develop materials or processes that align with specific sustainability standards?
- Do you offer innovative manufacturing solutions, such as emerging sustainable technologies or low-impact processes?
Emerging Trends and Updates
- Are you preparing for upcoming certifications, such as PEF or cradle-to-cradle standards?
- How do you stay ahead of evolving sustainability trends and integrate new technologies or practices?
Customer Collaboration
- Do you provide support and expertise to help brands achieve product certifications?
- Are you willing to partner on audits, certifications, or pilot projects focused on sustainability initiatives?
Download Checklist for manufacturers
