- Sustainability
- Labels & certifications
Labels & certifications
Today, 95% of our products are made from materials with a lower environmental impact than conventional options. Here's what our labels mean.
How we label materials
When a product has a label for a certified or licensed material, the main fabric contains at least 50% of that material. We list one material per product, based on the majority certified content.
All our cotton is certified or sourced through Better Cotton
All the cotton we use is either certified organic, certified recycled, or sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative.
Certified animal fibres only
Since autumn 2024, all animal fibres we use are either certified for animal welfare practices or are certified recycled animal fibres. Products with animal fibres always contain at least 50% certified material. If there’s a combination of certified animal fibres reaching that threshold, we list both on the label.
Better Cotton
Kappahl is a proud member of Better Cotton. Better Cotton is sourced via a chain of custody model called mass balance. This means that Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products, however, Better Cotton Farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we ‘source'. Kappahl is committed to source 65% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2026.
Better Cotton's mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive while protecting and restoring the environment. Better Cotton trains farmers to use water efficiently, care for soil health and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and respect workers' rights and wellbeing.
Our Better Cotton labelled products contains at least 50% cotton bought through Better Cotton.
Denim made with less
Our jeans are made with less resources via our phase-out of conventional cotton and changed washing process to make our denim with less water, energy and chemicals than conventional denim production.
The material we use is either certified organic cotton, cotton purchased through the Better Cotton organization, or certified recycled materials. The washing process uses significantly fewer chemicals, about half the water and almost 30 percent less energy compared to conventional denim washing. We measure this with EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement).
ECONYL®
ECONYL® yarn is a 100% recycled nylon fiber from plastic waste such as old fishing nets, carpets and waste from the manufacturing industry.
Our ECONYL® branded products contains at least 80% ECONYL® fiber in the main material.
European Flax™
The EUROPEAN FLAX™ is a standard and certification that aims to secure and guarantee the origin and traceability of the flax fiber grown in Western Europe (France, Belgium & The Netherlands).
The EUROPEAN FLAX™ fiber is a natural, non genetically modified fiber grown without irrigation (except in exceptional circumstances). The standard enables the traceability of certified material from the fiber to the final product.
Our EUROPEAN FLAX™ labelled garments contains at least 50% EUROPEAN FLAX™
FSC certified wood/paper
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a global, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. FSC defines standards based on agreed principles for responsible forest stewardship that are supported by environmental, social and economic stakeholders.
Look for our FSC® certified products. Licens: FSC®-N003228.
To learn more, visit www.fsc.org.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™
The responsible production of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers uses at least 50% less water and emits at least 50% less greenhouse gases compared to generic viscose fibers according to Higg MSI, thereby saving precious resources for future generations.
The wood used as raw material for all LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers is sourced from controlled or certified origins meeting FSC® or PEFC standards. LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.
Our LENZING™ ECOVERO™ labelled garments contains at least 50% LENZING™ ECOVERO™ in main material.
LIVAECO BY BIRLA CELLULOSE™
A viscose quality made of Birla Cellulose fibers, which comes from certified responsible forestry. The material is produced in a closed system, where the water and solvents are reused. Our Livaeco by Birla Cellulose™ labelled products contains at least 50% of the fiber.
Read more about LIVAECO BY BIRLA CELLULOSE™ here.
Made with organic cotton – GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a global standard and certification for processing textiles made from organic fibres, which includes both social and environmental criteria. GOTS certified garments are always made from at least 70% organic materials.
Organic materials are natural fibres grown without the use of chemical pesticides, artificial fertilisers or genetically modified crops. The standard enables the traceability of certified material from the first processor to the final product.
To carry the GOTS ‘made with organic’ label grade, a textile product must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres. The remaining portion of fibres must meet strict criteria per GOTS requirements.
Our GOTS certified products carry the logo together with our license number on the hangtag/packaging.
Made with organic cotton in-conversion – GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a global standard and certification for processing textiles made from organic fibres, which includes both social and environmental criteria. GOTS certified garments are always made from at least 70% organic materials.
Organic materials are natural fibres grown without the use of chemical pesticides, artificial fertilisers or genetically modified crops. The standard enables the traceability of certified material from the first processor to the final product.
'Organic in-conversion’ cotton is grown on an area of land that is being converted to organic farming. ‘In-conversion’ describes the process of transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture, and this process usually takes three years.
During that time, farmers implement organic agricultural methods, builds up soil health and only use fertilizers and pesticides that are allowed in organic farming. By buying 'Organic in-conversion’ cotton, Kappahl Group supports farmers on their journey to organic agriculture.
To carry the GOTS ‘made with organic’ label grade, a textile product must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres. The remaining portion of fibres must meet strict criteria per GOTS requirements.
Our GOTS certified products carry the logo together with our license number on the hangtag/packaging.
Organic cotton
Organic cotton is grown entirely without chemical pesticides, artificial fertiliser or genetically modified crops, which results in better soil quality, greater biodiversity and balanced ecosystems. It is expensive and time consuming to convert agriculture to organic. Therefore, only a small part of all cotton production in the world is organic.
We do not use any conventional cotton in our products.
Our Organic Cotton-labelled garments contains at least 50% organic cotton, and we use Organic Content Standard (OCS) to keep track and verify the organic cotton fibers.
Organic cotton – GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a global standard and certification for processing textiles made from organic fibres, which includes both social and environmental criteria. GOTS certified garments are always made from at least 70% organic materials.
Organic materials are natural fibres grown without the use of chemical pesticides, artificial fertilisers or genetically modified crops. The standard enables the traceability of certified material from the field to the final product.
To carry the GOTS ‘organic’ label grade, a textile product must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres. The remaining portion of fibres must meet strict criteria per GOTS requirements.
Our GOTS certified products carry the logo together with our license number on the hangtag/packaging.
Organic cotton in-conversion – GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a global standard and certification for processing textiles made from organic fibres, which includes both social and environmental criteria. GOTS certified garments are always made from at least 70% organic materials.
Organic materials are natural fibres grown without the use of chemical pesticides, artificial fertilisers or genetically modified crops. The standard enables the traceability of certified material from the first processor to the final product.
'Organic in-conversion’ cotton is grown on an area of land that is being converted to organic farming. ‘In-conversion’ describes the process of transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture, and this process usually takes three years.
During that time, farmers implement organic agricultural methods, builds up soil health and only use fertilizers and pesticides that are allowed in organic farming. By buying 'Organic in-conversion’ cotton, Kappahl Group supports farmers on their journey to organic agriculture.
To carry the GOTS ‘organic’ label grade, a textile product must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres. The remaining portion of fibres must meet strict criteria per GOTS requirements. Our GOTS certified products carry the logo together with our license number on the hangtag/packaging.
Organic linen – GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a global standard and certification for processing textiles made from organic fibres, which includes both social and environmental criteria. GOTS certified garments are always made from at least 70% organic materials
Organic materials are natural fibres grown without the use of chemical pesticides, artificial fertilisers or genetically modified crops. The standard enables the traceability of certified material from the first processor to the final product.
To carry the GOTS ‘organic’ label grade, a textile product must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres. The remaining portion of fibres must meet strict criteria per GOTS requirements. Our GOTS certified products carry the logo together with our license number on the hangtag/packaging.
RAS certified alpaca
Kappahl Group is certified to the Responsible Alpaca Standard. All of our alpaca fiber is independently certified to the Responsible Alpaca Standard, certified by Control Union, 1209888.
The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) describes and certifies animal welfare and land management practices in alpaca fiber production and tracks the certified material from farm to final product.
Our RAS labelled products contains at least 50% RAS certified alpaca fiber in main fabric (or a combination of RWS/RMS/RAS certified fibers that together reach at least 50%).
Read more about Responsible Alpaca Standard here.
RDS certified down
Kappahl Group is certified to the Responsible Down Standard. All of our down/feather is independently certified to the Responsible Down Standard, certified by Control Union, 1209888.
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) describes and certifies animal welfare practices in down and feather production and tracks the certified materials from farm to final product.
Our garments marked with RDS, has all down/feather in the filling certified according to RDS.
Read more about Responsible Down Standard here.
Recycled acrylic
Recycled acrylic is made from industry waste. Wherever possible, we choose recycled acrylic rather than conventional acrylic, but it is not technincally possible to get a yarn in 100% recycled acrylic, the conventional acrylic are still needed to make a yarn.
Our Recycled Acrylic-labelled garments contains at least 50 % recycled acrylic and we use Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to keep track and verify the recycled content.
Recycled metal
Recycled metal can be made by industrial waste or by used products that otherwise should have been waste. Wherever possible, we choose recycled metal rather than conventional metal.
Our recycled metal labelled products contains at least 50% recycled metal, and we use Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to keep track and verify the recycled content.
Recycled polyamide
Recycled polyamide can be made from pre-consumer waste from the manufacturing industry or post-consumer products like old fishing nets or carpets that otherwise would be wasted.
Wherever possible, we choose recycled polyamide rather than conventional polyamide.
Our Recycled Polyamid-labelled garments contains at least 50 % recycled polyamide, and we use Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to keep track and verify the recycled content.
Recycled polyester
Recycled polyester can be made from post-consumer waste as plastic bottles or textile waste from products that reached its end of life, it can also be pre-consumer waste from productions like yarn waste during spinning or fabric cutting leftovers at the garment manufacturer. Wherever possible, we choose recycled polyester rather than conventional polyester.
Our Recycled Polyester-labelled garments contains at least 50 % recycled polyester, and we use Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to keep track and verify the recycled content.
Recycled plastic
Recycled plastic can be made from pre-consumer waste from the manufacturing industry or post-consumer products like old bottles or food containsers that otherwise would be wasted.
Wherever possible, we choose recycled plastic rather than conventional plastic. Our Recycled Plastic-labelled garments contains at least 50 % recycled plastic, and we use Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to keep track and verify the recycled content.
Recycled PU
Recycled polyurethane (PU) can be made by industrial waste or by used products that otherwise should have been waste. Wherever possible, we choose recycled PU rather than conventional PU.
Our Recycled PU labeled products contains at least 50% recycled PU, and we use Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to keep track and verify the recycled content.
Rescued Fabrics
Often, design comes first, and materials second. But with Rescued Fabrics we’re doing the exact opposite.
What leftover fabrics might our suppliers have in their storage? How can we design garments or products to put those leftovers to use?
By utilizing leftover materials from previous collections, we take care of valuable resources.
RMS certified mohair
Kappahl Group is certified to the Responsible Mohair Standard. All of our mohair fiber is independently certified to the Responsible Mohair Standard, certified by Control Union, 1209888.
The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) describes and certifies animal welfare and land management practices in mohair production and tracks the certified material from farm to final product.
Our RMS labelled products contains at least 50% RMS certified mohair fiber in main fabric (or a combination of RWS/RMS/RAS certified fibers that together reach at least 50%).
Read more about Responsible Mohair Standard here.
RWS certified wool
Kappahl Group is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. All of our wool fiber is independently certified to the Responsible Wool Standard, certified by Control Union, 1209888.
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) describes and certifies animal welfare and land management practices in wool production and tracks the certified material from farm to final product.
Our RWS labelled products contains at least 50% RWS certified mohair fiber in main fabric (or a combination of RWS/RMS/RAS certified fibers that together reach at least 50%).
We have phased out all conventional wool in our products, and use only wool that are RWS certified, recycled or organic.
Read more about Responsible Wool Standard here.
TENCEL™ Lyocell
The responsible production of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers uses at least 50% less water and emits at least 50% less CO2 compared to generic lyocell fibers, according to Higg MSI, thereby saving precious resources for future generations.
TENCEL™ Lyocell is known for its innovative closed loop production process. Wood pulp is transformed into cellulosic fibers, while more than 99.8% of the solvent are recovered and fed back into the loop, resulting in close-to-zero wastage. TENCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG.
Our TENCEL™ Lyocell labelled garments contains at least 50% TENCEL™ Lyocell in main material.
TENCEL™ Modal
The responsible production of TENCEL™ Modal fibers uses at least 50% less water and emits at least 50% less greenhouse gases compared to generic lyocell fibers, according to Higg MSI, thereby saving precious resources for future generations. The TENCEL™ Modal production process is based on a highly resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals. TENCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG.
Our TENCEL™ Modal labelled garments contains at least 50% TENCEL™ Modal in main material.
Vegetable tanned leather
This leather is tanned using plant-based substances such as bark, wood, fruit and leaves, which means that no chromium is used during the tanning process.
Waterborne PU
PU stands for polyurethane and is a coating used on artificial leather and rainwear. Our Waterborne PU branded products have been coated using a water based process instead of a conventional solvent based process.
Certification update 20 March 2025
Due to issues with a certification body in India, we have not received valid GOTS certificates for some products sold during the winter and early spring. As a result, we are currently unable to verify that these items are certified, despite the markings on packaging or hangtags.
Download the list of affected products (PDF)