Friend of the Earth, the internationally recognized sustainability certification body, has announced the launch of the Friend of the Earth Sustainable Textiles Standard (FOEST), a comprehensive third party certification program designed to support credible, transparent, and independently verified sustainability practices across the global textile manufacturing sector.
Developed for textile manufacturers, mills, processors, suppliers, traders, and production facilities, FOEST provides a structured certification framework covering key environmental, social, chemical management, and traceability requirements throughout the textile supply chain.
The standard supports companies seeking to demonstrate responsible material sourcing, documented chain-of-custody practices, safer chemical management, ethical labor conditions, environmental performance, and accurate communication of certified textile products.
The Friend of the Earth Sustainable Textiles Standard responds to growing demand from buyers, retailers, sourcing teams, and international markets for reliable sustainability credentials supported by documented evidence and independent audits. While many existing textile certifications focus on individual aspects of sustainability, FOEST offers a broader assessment framework designed to verify responsible practices from material inputs through production, testing, transaction documentation, and claims control.
FOEST is structured across key assessment areas, including sustainable material inputs, chain-of custody traceability, transaction documentation, technical and residue testing, management systems, social compliance, environmental management, chemical management, and claims integrity.
All certifications under the program are conducted by Control Union, the approved certification body for the Friend of the Earth Sustainable Textiles Standard. This helps ensure that audits are carried out through an objective, rigorous, and internationally recognized verification process.
“The textile manufacturing sector plays a critical role in building more responsible supply chains”, said Paolo Bray.
The program is open to companies across the textile production sector, including fiber processors, spinning mills, weaving and knitting facilities, dyeing and finishing units, garment manufacturers, traders, and textile suppliers.
Certified organizations will be able to communicate their compliance with the Friend of the Earth Sustainable Textiles Standard through approved claims and labelling, subject to the program’s certification and verification requirements.
Textile manufacturers and suppliers interested in certification are invited to contact Friend of the Earth for further information.
For further information or to initiate an enquiry: Eso@wsogroup.org
