Welcome to
Control Union
Textile CertificationsWe are the leader in textile certification and verification services. We are your trusted partner.
Get started today!
There may be many reasons for why you want to become certified. It may be because you want to demonstrate to the world that your products, processes, services, or organization is of a certain level. Or you may require certification in order to enter into a certain market or because your customers ask you to become certified.
No matter what your reason is, Control Union is best suited to assist you in your goal. As the leading company in certification and verification services, our team has a global perspective and local expertise.
With more than a decade working with the textile industry, Control Union has partnered with many companies to meet their sustainability challenges head-on. We are your trusted partner.
Our Textile Certifications Programs
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
About this Standard
The GOTS Standard is an international standard that set requirements for third-party certification of organic textiles and maintaining the chain of custody. This standard was developed with the goal to promote and protect organic textile claims via developing criteria for the entire supply chain. As organic production is based on farm standard, GOTS seeks to maintain the integrity of the supply chain to promote greater organic production and decrease toxic fertilizers, pesticides as well as other toxic substances that are applied to the fiber.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking the gold-standard for organic textile claims should look at the GOTS standard. GOTS is the most widely recognized textile standard built upon the organic production standards. GOTS certification is sought by many manufacturers and brand/retailers when seeking sustainable materials to produce a more sustainable final product for consumers while providing assurance of its organic textile content.
Organic Content Standard (OCS)
About this Standard
The OCS Standard is a content claim standard. This means that the product’s organic content is certified rather than the entirety of the product. So the percentage of organic content is audited and checked and a chain of custody is maintained throughout the supply chain to ensure that each step in the supply chain can be assured of the percentage of organic material contained therein. This standard was developed to drive the use of more organic materials without applying the social or environmental criteria as seen in the GOTS Standard.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking the OCS are looking for a starting point to make organic content claims. Many brands and retailers usually ask for OCS as a starting point to add additional organic material into their products and then a later point as for the GOTS Standard certification to cover the additional criteria of environmental and social.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
About this Standard
The GRS Standard is an international standard that set requirements for third-party certification of recycled inputs and maintaining the chain of custody. This standard was developed with the goal to increase the use of recycled materials while ensuring social and environmental criteria for participating companies.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking the gold-standard for recycled material claims should look at the GRS standard. As one of the most widely accepted recycled material standards, the GRS certification is sought after by many manufacturers and brand/retailers when seeking sustainable materials to produce a more sustainable final product for consumers. With the option to have an on-product claim, it allows brands the ability to showcase their product(s) story.
Recycled Content Standard (RCS)
About this Standard
The RCS Standard is a content claim standard. This means that the product’s recycled content is certified rather than the entirety of the product. Therefore, the percentage of recycled content is audited and checked and a chain of custody is maintained throughout the supply chain to ensure that each step in the supply chain can be assured of the percentage of recycled material contained therein. This standard was developed to drive the use of more recycled materials without applying the social or environmental criteria as seen in the GRS Standard.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking the RCS are looking for a starting point to make recycled content claims. Many brands and retailers usually ask for RCS as a starting point to add additional recycled into their products and then a later point as for the GRS Standard certification to cover the additional criteria of environmental and social.
Ocean Bound Plastic Standard (OBP)
About this Standard
The OBP is a plastic waste certification that seeks to reduce the threat of plastic ending up in the ocean and its development allows companies to find alternative uses for these plastics. OBP is a plastic waste that is not managed correctly and is abandoned in the environment where it will be transported to the Oceans either by rain, wind, tides, river flow, floods. OBP finds its origin on land but the program also includes fishing materials as well as plastic collected as bycatch by fishermen. OBP has two subprograms: (1.) OBP Plastic Recycling Subprogram for making claims on the sourcing of OBP material as well as in the downstream supply chain and the (2.) OBP Neutrality Subprogram for companies seeking to offset the use of virgin plastic in their products.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking the OBP are looking for a differentiated claim on their recycled plastic policies and products. OBP is a new program, but many brands and retailers are waking up to the need for program that addresses the growing plastic waste in our oceans.
Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
About this Standard
The RDS is a standard that was developed to tackle the issues of animal welfare in the down supply chain. It enables companies to source down feathers from responsible sources without fear that their down came from areas where geese and ducks were subjected to force feeding and or live plucking. This standard is a chain of custody standard ensuring that the entire supply chain is certified. This standard was developed together with The North Face, Textile Exchange and Control Union. It is now the industry standard for the certification of down material and can be found in the home, apparel and outdoor industry.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking RDS are committed to source responsible materials while assuring that their materials are sourced from supply chains that do not subject animals to unnecessary harm.
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
About this Standard
The RWS is a standard that was developed to provide the industry with a tool to promote best practices in the wool supply chain. This includes a holistic approach including animal welfare and land management. This standard is a chain of custody standard ensuring that the entire supply chain is certified.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking RWS are committed to source responsible materials while assuring that their materials are sourced from supply chains that do not subject animals to unnecessary harm.
Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS)
About this Standard
The RAS is a standard that was developed to provide the industry with a tool to promote best practices in the Alpaca fiber supply chain. This includes a holistic approach including animal welfare and land management. This standard is a chain of custody standard ensuring that the entire supply chain is certified.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking RAS are committed to source responsible materials while assuring that their materials are sourced from supply chains that do not subject animals to unnecessary harm.
Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS)
About this Standard
The RMS is a standard that was developed to provide the industry with a tool to promote best practices in the Mohair fiber supply chain. This includes a holistic approach including animal welfare and land management. This standard is a chain of custody standard ensuring that the entire supply chain is certified.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking RMS are committed to source responsible materials while assuring that their materials are sourced from supply chains that do not subject animals to unnecessary harm.
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
About this Standard The GOLS program is a latex standard that seeks to promote the use of organic rubber in production of latex and downstream manufacturing. GOLS enables manufactures, exporters and sellers the ability to showcase their unique product of organic origin. This includes social and environmental criteria in addition to traceability. This standard is a chain of custody standard ensuring that the entire supply chain is certified.
Why choose this Standard? A company seeking GOLS can use the claim in the mattress, home goods and protective material (gloves, rubbers etc) markets.
regenagri
About this Standard Regenerative agriculture initiative aims at securing the health of the land and the wealth of those who live on it. It supports farms and organizations transitioning to holistic farming, increasing soil health, encouraging biodiversity, reducing green-house gas emissions and sequestering CO2. regenagri also provides farmers with routes to additional funds through carbon credit markets and environmental subsidies. It is open to all farms and agribusinesses and relevant across the spectrum of agriculture. Regenagri COC (Chain of Custody) is a program for textile supply chain ensures traceability of the certified fiber in finished products manufactured
Why choose this Standard? Participating in the field of regenerative agriculture means taking a leap towards tackling the issues of food security and climate change while restoring the soil and land. Relying on agricultural resources for fiber production means that parties in the textiles industry have an opportunity to play an important role to support the development long-term health of the sector and building resilient communities and systems.
NICE Cotton
About this Standard
Water is a key input, which assists in developing crop germination and productivity. Plants need water continuously during their life cycle to absorb nutrients from the soil. The aim of “No Irrigation Cultivated Ethically Cotton (NICE Cotton)” standard is to produce cotton on rainwater and without using external power for application of water. The aim is to increase supply and access to a basic need for generations through water conservation. Ten principles are covered under the standard which include energy management, waste management, legal, and social compliance
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking NICE Cotton certification are committed to sourcing cotton with water management as top of mind that improves crop yields with reducing production risks and droughts.
SVCOC
About this Standard The Sustainable Viscose Chain of Custody standard focuses on tracing manmade cellulosic fibers (MMCF) from production to retail. The demand grows for transparency, traceability, & integrity of MMCF in the fashion supply chain to ensure that it is not sourced from endangered forests. Fibers such as Lenzing, ENKA and Birla cellulose comply as per Canopy style initiative and are permitted as input material in SVCOC.
Why choose this Standard? Companies seeking SVCOC certification are committed to source responsible materials while assuring that their materials are not sourced from endangered forests.
The H Standards
About this Standard The ‘H’ stands for Hemp! The ‘H’ Standards unites stakeholders from multiple sectors within the industrial hemp value chain through the development and implementation of global standards for sustainable hemp. It is focused on the sustainable production of industrial hemp as a textile fiber. Industrial hemp is grown with minimal water requirements supporting stressed watersheds, minimal pesticide requirements, and creates a natural biofiltration that supports a regenerative agriculture model. Under this quality management system, the H Standard focuses attention on best practices that create the assurances required for a commodity traded on a global marketplace.
Why choose this Standard? Companies seeking THS are committed to source responsible materials while assuring full transparency to where their products are derived.
CCS
About this Standard The Content Claim Standard(CCS) provides companies with a tool to verify the content of specific input materials for all TE standards. Each organisation along the supply chain is checked by an independent third party. Any type of input material may be claimed. The CCS is the foundation for all of Textile Exchange’s chain of custody standards. For any brands making public-facing on-product claims of Textiles Exchange Standards will be required to undergo a certification process. This will come into effect on April 1, 2023.
Why choose this Standard? The CCS verifies the presence and amount of a given material in a final product. It tracks the flow of a material from the source to the final product and is certified by an accredited third party. It allows for transparent, consistent, comprehensive and independent evaluation and verification of material content claims on products.
Our Textile Verifications Programs
Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM)
About this Standard
The HIGG FEM is a tool developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition as part of a suite of tools making up the HIGG Index that enables manufacturers to assess and measure their environmental impacts. After completing their self-assessment, manufacturers may wish to be verified in order to publicly share their assessment score to brands seeking more sustainable materials. Many brands in the apparel, footwear and home textiles are requesting that manufacturers assess and then have their assessment verified by approved 3rd party verifiers.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking to have their FEM verified must already have established their HIGG account and have performed at least one self-assessment. Control Union can then perform a verification which can be on-sight or done remotely depending on whether the company seeks make its scores public to stakeholders via the HIGG platform. For more information, please contact us.
Social Labor Convergence Program (SLCP)
About this Standard
The SLCP is a program that seeks to improve working conditions in global supply chains. This is done via a stakeholder driven effort to make meaningful improvements while seeking efficiencies by using shareable high-quality data to increase transparency and eliminate repetitive social compliance audits. The SLCP offers the tools to measure working conditions in global supply chains.
Why choose this Standard?
Companies seeking SLCP verification are organizations that undergo multiple audits across several programs. Companies must have already performed their self-assessment before an approved social compliance auditor can verify the accuracy of the data. Once verified a company can share the final verified data with its stakeholders.
How to get started
Request a textile certification or verification
Certifications
The first step is to contact us at textileamericas@controlunion.com, where we will be able to set up a call to directly discuss the specific nature of your certification needs. You can also click the following link Control Union Certifications - Textile Application Form to begin the application process for GOTS, GRS, OCS, RCS, CCS. For the RWS, RDS, RAS and RMS please contact us, and we can send you a separate application form to be filled and returned to us.
Verifications
The verification programs will include an application process.
Receive the offer letter
Once we have your application(s), we will provide you with an offer letter that will indicate the price and scope of your certification.
Accept and get your audit plan
Upon accepting and signing, we will contact you about setting up dates for your audit. Once an auditor is assigned to your audit, an agenda and audit plan will be sent to prepare for your audit. At the close of your audit, the auditor will indicate if any non-compliances have been found and agree to the deadlines of the corrective actions.
Audit review
Your audit results will be reviewed by a secondary person, called the certifier, who ultimately decides whether certification will be granted. If you had corrective actions to approach, these need to be sent in for the review process to begin.
Get your Certification / Get your attestation or score that has been reported.
Certifications
If the results have been approved, you will be contacted to receive your certification. If the results were not satisfactory, you will need to submit your corrective actions within the agreed time frame or pause your certification until such time as you are ready.
Verifications
If results are not satisfactory, you will be required to wait a period of time to begin the process again.
About us
Control Union Certifications is one of the divisions of the Peterson Control Union Group. We offer numerous certification programs across more than 80 countries.
Some programs are accredited 3rd party certification programs while others are unaccredited verification programs to verify compliance. With more than a decade working with the textile industry, Control Union has partnered with many companies to meet their sustainability challenges head-on. For example, in the mid-2000s we developed the Global Recycle Standard (GRS) to meet the growing misuse of using virgin PET bottles claimed to be recycled PET. Another example was the development, together with one of the global brand leaders in the outdoor industry, of the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) which has now become the industry standard for down feathers.
We offer auditing and certification services worldwide, encompassing many different sustainable materials such as organic cotton fibers to recycled polyester. In addition, we have begun to offer HIGG verifications to suppliers seeking to have their assessments.
If you require a certification or verification for other programs that do not belong to the textile industry, please visit our Global site´s Certifications page to view our complete service offer https://certifications.controlunion.com/
FAQ's
How long does it typically take from start to finish when requesting textile certifications?
The process will vary depending on several factors, these include how many sites and products will need to be included in your audit (called the scope), how long it takes you to close (if any) non-compliances, and the availability of auditor(s). However, to provide some idea it can be range from 3 to 4 months.
How much does it cost?
The price will be determined by the local office in your region/country. This is determined by what is included in your audit, i.e.: number of sites and processes.
How long is my certificate valid for?
Certificates have a validity of one year and can be easily renewed. If there are any changes to your scope during the year, you need to notify your local office so that they can determine whether an additional assessment is needed. Your local office will contact you in the months prior to your next audit to ask if there are any changes to your audit scope.
Can I make changes during the year to my textile certification?
Yes, you can make changes to your certification however you need to inform your local office before any new sites, processes or products are added. The local office will determine if an additional assessment (desk review or on-site audit) is needed. Costs will be incurred to make changes to your certificate.
Will I be able to request Transaction Certificates?
Yes, once you are certified and have received your certificate, you will have access to request transaction certificates. You will have an online account which will enable you to request transaction certificates.
Are there costs for the transaction certificates?
Yes, there are fees associated with requesting a TC. The fees will vary by region/country. Please note that the issuance of TCs will take several days. Your local office can assist you as to the timing of issuance.