Social standards, certifications

In the early days of fair trade ecological criteria was of little importance. Today we can see that fair trade and organic cultivation are interdigitated more often. A lot of certifications therefore consider social as well as ecological criteria.

All slowmo products are 100% organic as well as fair traded. We put equal importance towards both aspects that can not be separated in our opinion. Treating men and nature with respect is the foundation.

The four main international organisations for fair trade (FLO, IFAT, NEWS! and EFTA = FINE) agreed on the following definition:
Fair trade is "... a bargain partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect, persuiting more justice for international trade. Fair trade contributes to sustainable development through better terms of trade and the assurance of social rights for disadvantaged producers and laborers (especially in the southern countries). Together with consumers, fair trade organisations get involved in the support of producers. They work on sensitization and campaigns for the change of rules and practices of conventional global trade."

Here is a short discription of the certifications:

  • Naturtextil - International Association of Natural Textile Economy (IVN)

    NATURTEXTIL is a quality mark by the International Association of Natural Textile Economy (IVN). Beside the abidance of the main job norm f the International Labor Organisation (ILO) the criteria of this certification is the use of ecologically harmless fibers and the abdication of chlorination and other polluting chemicals. The abidance of these criteria is controlled on-site in each step of the production by an independant certification authority. There are two levels of this certification: IVN certified (orange) and IVN Best (blue). The IVN Best certificate (the one slowmo uses) includes more severe social standards.

    www.naturtextil.com


  • Skal: EKO-Seal

    Skal is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) from the Netherlands which certifies organic products with the EKO-Seal. It was founded in 1985. The control covers all steps of production and trade of organic and non-genetically modified products in the Netherlands and imports from non-European countries. One of the controlled products is cotton. The abidance of the EKO-criteria is controlled by independent inspectors.

    www.skal.com