Born in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza disaster, the MADE IN GREEN label has become a symbol of transparency, traceability, and social responsibility in the global fashion industry over the past decade.
Launched in 2015, the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label has become a representation of safer, more sustainable, and responsible production in the fashion industry. As Jean-Pierre Haug, COO of OEKO-TEX® Testex, stated, this label builds a sense of trust among both consumers and regulatory bodies.
Origins of the Label: After Rana Plaza
The 2013 Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh triggered a global call for social responsibility in textile production. In response to this crisis, OEKO-TEX® developed the MADE IN GREEN label in 2015. The aim was to combine product safety, environmental awareness, and fair working conditions into a single traceable label.
Safety and Certification
Products with the MADE IN GREEN label:
• Have passed harmful substance testing under OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100,
• Contain chemicals certified under ECO PASSPORT,
• Are manufactured in facilities that meet social and environmental standards under STeP by OEKO-TEX®.
Social Responsibility and Workplace Audits
As of 2024, audits based on ILO’s fundamental labor rights have contributed to improved working conditions for approximately 2 million textile workers. Around 70 social criteria are assessed during audits, including interviews with employees.
Chemical Management and Waste Monitoring
OEKO-TEX® also applies high standards in chemical safety. Each manufacturer is required to submit an annual wastewater report and provide mandatory chemical safety training.
Global Adoption and Interest
The label has been granted to over 9,200 manufacturers in 88 countries to date. In 2024 alone, 16,927 new labels were issued. Germany, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and China are leading in adoption, with growing interest in the UK and the US.
Consumer Trust: Traceability with QR Code
All products come with a unique product ID and QR code. In 2024, over 300,000 labels were scanned by consumers. According to Consuelo Carbonell, OEKO-TEX® Department Head at Aitex, this system offers strong protection against counterfeiting.
International Recognition
The label is:
• Included in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program,
• Recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
• Eligible for the Eco-Modulation Bonus in France,
• Listed at the top of Greenpeace’s Label Guide.
“When Greenpeace included us in their label guide in 2018, it was a huge step,” says Martin Cieslik, Global Head of Marketing and Sales at Hohenstein, emphasizing that MADE IN GREEN has become a symbol of trust in the industry over time.
