UTENA – Direct action NGO, Greenpeace, has recognised Lithuanian apparel company, Utenos trikotažas, as the first, and so far the only company in the world to work entirely according to its textiles procurement standard. Greenpeace has already started to produce its own t-shirts at the company’s factory.
Greenpeace began trialling its own textile standard in 2019 for the production of t-shirts, bags and other merchandise after previously suspending all sales of such products in 2012 when a Greenpeace T-shirt was found to contain some of the chemicals it was campaigning against. Greenpeace claims its new standard reflects the best overall practice in the market for detecting and eliminating the use and discharge of hazardous chemicals, resulting from the Detox campaign. The standard specifies the use of tools and certifications provided by Oeko-Tex, GOTs and Fairtrade.
“It is the standard for any fashion brand really looking to achieve credibility in terms of sustainability. Utenos trikotažas has become the first manufacturer to prove it is compliant with these requirements. Under the standard, organically farmed natural fibres, production tested free of harmful substances, fair pay and transparency are uniquely combined,” said Viola Wohlgemuth, Greenpeace consumption and toxics campaigner.
Utenos trikotažas has already finished the first batch of Greenpeace’s new collection and will continue production later this year.
“It’s a historic achievement. Being the first company in the world to fulfil Greenpeace’s requirements is a real phenomenon and appreciation of our efforts. We hope our example will encourage other textile producers to follow in this direction,” added Petras Jašinskas, CEO of Utenos trikotažas.
According to Viola Wohlgemuth, Utenos trikotažas and its partners have shown that for the first time ever, steps to avoid hazardous chemical use and contamination have been taken across the entire production chain, from fibres in the processing of raw materials, to dyeing and printing according to Detox principles, and finally to the sewing and packaging of high-quality garments, made to last.
“This collection proves that truly clean, fair and completely transparent production is in fact possible. And not in some boutique sewing shop but at an industrial level,” Wohlgemuth adds.
EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius congratulated all the parties involved.
“Textile is one of the main industries that have to become more sustainable across the entire production chain and beyond. Textile must become more circular, more reusable and recyclable. The Circular Economy Action Plan – an important part of the EU Industrial Strategy – will be the roadmap for this transformation, but the first ones to follow this path will naturally have a competitive advantage in the market,” said Sinkevicius.
