We look for environmental and social compliance certifications when we decide where to source and who to work with. They’re important because they mean that experts have conducted thorough audits to verify safe products and responsible manufacturing.
Check out what we look for below or skip to our TLDR; summary.
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OEKO-TEX® 100
At iteration, we prioritize your safety, which is why we opt to choose materials with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification. This global standard ensures our TENCEL™ Modal fabric, elastics, hardware, and hook + eye closures are OEKO-Tex 100 certified and have been tested for harmful substances.
🌿 Why It Matters To US
Skin is our largest organ and what goes up against it matters. Leveraging OEKO-TEX certification means we can ensure our garments don't create health concerns and are tested to be skin safe.
🌍 Our Commitment
By prioritizing OEKO-TEX® materials in our supply chain we are choosing products that are as safe for you as they are for the environment. It’s about wearing what feels good, in every sense of the word!
FSC / The Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC, is an international organization dedicated to promoting responsible forest management worldwide. FSC certification ensures that the forests are managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers, all while ensuring sustainable economic viability.
🌿 Why It Matters To US
At iteration, we use TENCEL™ Modal in our products, which is a fabric made from the pulp of beech trees. These trees are harvested from forests that are certified by the FSC. Our plastic-free packaging is also made using FSC certified materials.
🌍 Our Commitment
By choosing FSC certified materials like our modal fabric and our packaging, we ensure that our environmental footprint is as light as possible. This commitment supports not just the health of the world’s forests but also the communities and wildlife that depend on them.
ZDHC
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) is a global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in the textile and footwear manufacturing process. It brings together brands, manufacturers, and stakeholders to drive the industry towards sustainable chemical management practices.
🌿 Why It Matters To US
At iteration, ensuring the safety and environmental integrity of our supply chain is paramount. We are in the process of working with all our fabric mills and dye partners to ensure we use safe chemical products and practices.
🌍 Our Commitment
Incorporating ZDHC practices reflects our dedication to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable fashion industry. By reducing and aiming to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals, we protect waterways, soil, and air quality, thereby ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
SEDEX + SMETA
At iteration, we’re dedicated to ethical and responsible business practices. That’s why we embrace SEDEX , a global platform that encourages ethical business practices across global supply chains. It helps companies manage how they operate in regards to labor rights, health + safety, the environment, and business ethics through its audit, SMETA, one of the most widely used ethical audit formats globally.
🌿 Why It Matters To US
While our chosen factory is still in the process of obtaining SEDEX certification, we are fully committed to this journey. Opting to partner with a smaller, like-minded factory has allowed us to support a business that shares our startup ethos, dedication to growth, and best practices in its pursuit to meet SEDEX + SMETA standards.
🌍 Our Commitment
By choosing iteration, you support not just ethical manufacturing but also the growth of smaller businesses in the global supply chain. Our efforts ensure transparency, fairness, and responsibility, paving the way for higher standards and better practices across the board.
TLDR; Certification Chart
| Certificate | Why it Matters? | Importance to Us |
|---|---|---|
| OEKO-TEX 100 | OEKO-TEX Material Assurance Certifies that textile articles are safe from over 1,000 harmful substances (including pesticides, heavy metals, and allergens – yuck, no thank you!) |
Our TENCEL™ Modal fabric (including the TENCEL™ Modal and elastane yarns), elastics (inner, underband, and straps), hardware, and hook + eye closures are OEKO-Tex 100 certified. |
| FSC | The Forest Stewardship Council Works to safeguard forests, prevent deforestation, preserve biodiversity, protect local communities, and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples |
All TENCEL™ Modal fibers that are the input to our fabrics are FSC certified as well as our packaging materials. |
| ZDHC | Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Promotes the phasing-out of hazardous chemicals in the fashion industry across the textile, apparel, leather, and footwear supply chains |
The dyes used in our cotton panty gussets and the hook + eye closures are ZDHC certified. We are working towards getting our other fabric mill + dye partners ZDHC certified for future orders. |
| SEDEX / SMETA | SEDEX = Supplier Ethical Data Exchange Ensures responsible manufacturing and protects workers’ health and safety against unsafe working conditions, overwork, low pay, forced labor, child labor, and discrimination (Tip: SEDEX is the organization and SMETA is their audit) |
Our factory is in the process of obtaining SEDEX certification, and we are fully supportive of that. While we could have selected a larger factory that was already certified, we opted to support a smaller, like-minded partner that shares our start-up ethos, exhibits exceptional treatment of its workers, and is committed to making their operations even better. |
