In the vibrant heart of Milan, where fashion and innovation intertwine, the World Sustainability Organization (WSO) is proud to present the Friend of the Earth certification, an international recognition that marks a crucial step towards a future where fashion and agro-food sectors champion environmental responsibility. Founded in 2014 by Paolo Bray, the WSO is a global organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and protecting biodiversity. It collaborates with institutions, NGOs, and governments to create a positive and lasting impact worldwide.
The World Sustainability Organization (WSO) manages the Friend of the Sea and Friend of the Earth certifications, two significant international standards dedicated to sustainable products and services. With over 30 years of experience, WSO conducts independent audits through accredited bodies, ensuring compliance and supporting both small producers and large industries.
Beyond certification, WSO creates opportunities for connection between certified companies and buyers, promoting conservation through strategic collaborations.
Alongside WSO, the World Sustainability Foundation (WSF), the non-profit arm of the organisation, works to enhance global conservation, protecting habitats, endangered species, and raising awareness among citizens and businesses. Together, WSO and WSF are pioneers in building a sustainable future, leading impactful projects for sustainable development and environmental protection.
The Friend of the Earth Sustainable Fashion certification allows brands to assert their credibility and communicate their commitment to sustainability. This certification ensures traceability, social responsibility, and environmental compliance throughout the supply chain, making it easier for consumers to identify and support products that are ethically produced.
Friend of the Earth extends to a global scope, designed for products sold worldwide, including clothing, accessories, footwear, and home textiles. It is accessible to small, medium, and large companies, offering financial and operational practicality and flexibility. Brands can choose to certify their entire collections or specific product lines that meet the standard requirements. The certification is divided into two levels, Silver and Gold, designed to provide distinct advantages and recognise existing standards, thus avoiding duplication in audits.
The certification aligns with the 2030 Agenda, directly impacting 10 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and indirectly affecting another 5. Key alignments include: promoting responsible production practices (SDG 12), encouraging energy efficiency to combat climate change (SDG 13), protecting the marine environment (SDG 14), and safeguarding biodiversity (SDG 15). Additionally, Friends of the Earth supports gender equality and fair working conditions through SDGs 5, 1, and 8.
The final Friend of the Earth Sustainable Fashion certification is based on a set of rigorous criteria covering 10 key areas to ensure ethical, social, and environmental compliance throughout the supply chain:
- Origin of raw materials: Favouring recycled and sustainable raw materials
- Social and environmental management systems: Implementation of policies to ensure responsibility
- Legal compliance: Adherence to current environmental and labour regulations
- Use of hazardous substances: Prohibition of harmful chemicals
- Textile production system: Promotion of low environmental impact techniques
- Water resources: Analysis and management of water quality
- Air emissions control: Reduction of greenhouse gases and pollutants
- Waste management: Focus on recycling and reuse
- Energy management: Promotion of energy efficiency and use of renewable sources
- Social responsibility: Fair labour practices and respect for human rights
These criteria ensure that certified brands meet high standards of sustainability and social responsibility, minimising environmental impact. Furthermore, the Friend of the Earth certification recognises existing standards to avoid duplicate audits, ensuring that already certified companies can continue to rely on their compliance.
FRIEND OF THE EARTH
The Friend of the Earth programme is dedicated to actively promoting certified brands, offering them a range of dynamic and meaningful services to raise public awareness on crucial sustainability issues in fashion. Among the main initiatives, sustainable fashion shows have become true celebrations of ethical innovation and creativity, showcasing collections made with eco-friendly materials. These events not only highlight the excellence of responsible clothing but also invite participants to reflect on the importance of a shift towards more sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
Alongside these fashion shows, fairs, and dedicated events serve as showcases for innovative ecological projects, creating opportunities for dialogue and networking among designers, producers, and consumers. In this context, Friend of the Earth facilitates collaborations with designers committed to ethical fashion, bringing to life collections that reflect shared values and a vision of a sustainable future.
With these initiatives, Friend of the Earth not only promotes a cultural shift in the fashion sector but also actively supports certified brands in their journey towards sustainability and ethics.
BRANDS
The World Sustainability Organization (WSO) is pleased to announce a selection of sustainable brands that have participated in the project and embody the commitment to sustainable and responsible fashion globally. Among the Brazilian brands are: Ateliê Val Valadares, Camila Machado Ateliê, Celeste, Las Gringas, LBF, Natural Cotton Color, all dedicated to ethical practices. Kosovo is represented by Dyvo Lab, Handmade Bukura, while Albania contributes with 99 Brown. In the United States, Katherine Story promotes a vision of responsible fashion. In Switzerland, Zoe Klose and Rêve de Rive offer innovative collections. Shirvanna from Cyprus, IlKan.Ko from Spain, and Esmee from the United Kingdom. These brands not only provide high-quality products but are also pioneers in promoting a future where fashion and sustainability harmoniously intertwine. Choosing to support them means contributing to a positive and lasting change in the fashion industry.
