Intro:
Am I dealing with an authentic bag supplier who offers sustainability production?
Does the manufacturer follow the highest standards and maintains production quality?
What is the parameter to analyze the production standards of a bag manufacturing company?
When selecting a manufacturer and supplier for your business, many other questions are raised in mind.
Whether you are a retailer, wholesaler, supplier, or distributor, you need to sign a contract with a production company that follows the highest standards and maintains quality throughout the production process.
Why Do Organizations Need to Be Certified?
Improper manufacturing processes lead to pollution and climate change. This climate change is not safe for our future generations.
Using chemicals, non-degradable raw materials, throwing the waste in water, or cutting the forests cause harmful impacts on our earth.
The various certification systems discourage improper processes. As a result, we can experience continuous improvement in our surroundings. For example, water stewardship is a certification system that works for sustainable and proper water usage.
We need to save our earth and climate change for generations to come. These certifications help the organizations to work for the well being of end consumers around the world.
Following are the 6 Internationally Recognized Sustainability Production Certifications in the Bag Industry that are working for the continuous improvement and well being around the world.
1. ISO 14000 Series of Certifications
ISO stands for International Organization of Standardization. The ISO 14000 standards are a series of certifications related to environmental performance.
These are the environmental management standards set for organizations to follow to be ranked among the best.
What Is ISO 14000?
In the manufacturing process, industries may have an adverse environmental impact. ISO 14000 is a set of certifications that help industrialists minimize their negative impact on the environment.
This certification system plays a vital role in the ‘Go Green’ campaign around the world. The ISO 14000 standards are guidelines for improving a company’s production quality without damaging the mother earth.
Companies with this certification show that they have an in-house environment management system. Also, this certification indicates that the organization is working on the accepted ecological and social criteria.
What Does It Focus on?
ISO 14000 certifications have five fundamental elements that are:
· Environmental management
· Auditing
· Performance evaluation
· Labeling
· Life cycle assessment
What Is Its Importance?
ISO 14000 standards are beneficial for promoting environmental management systems in companies. These standards target the market players, regulatory agencies, and NGOs.
You may learn about the cost-effective solutions to improve environmental performance with the help of the ISO 14000 series of standards.
What Are Its Benefits To Bag-Making Business?
ISO 14000 standards are beneficial for businesses in several ways. Some are:
· A better understanding of environmental regulations
· Greater marketability
· Better use of resources
· Top-notch goods and services
· Improved safety
· Increased profits
All-in-all, ISO standards help a bag-making company cost-effectively reduce its adverse environmental impacts. Consequently, the company may experience innovative growth.
With the increased growth, increased market share comes side by side.
How to Get an ISO 14000 Certification?
Research shows that in more than 171 countries, nearly 300,000 ISO certified organizations are working globally.
This figure shows the importance, support, and impact of this certification for the safety of the earth. If you want to get this certification, the following is the procedure you need to follow.
Assessment
The whole certification process may take from 3 months to 2 years. Meanwhile, independent certification auditors conduct an inspection. This inspection helps the organization to understand the need for improvement in specific fields.
Documentation
The following process is to prepare the documentation needed by the certifying organization.
Auditing
Once all documentation is provided, personnel from the certifying body conduct an on-site visit. The site visit ensures whether the standards mentioned in the documentation are being fulfilled or not.
Non-Conformity
During the third-party assessment, sometimes major or minor non-conformities are identified. It may lead to repeating the whole certification process.
Certification
After a thorough assessment and complete documentation, the organization receives ISO 14000 certifications. It is done only when the company meets all the certifications standards. You may find numerous websites showing the procedures and checklists before applying for the certification.
2. GRS Certification
GRS is the abbreviated form of Global Recycling Standard. As the name says, the GRS services are committed to reuse materials.
How?
The GRS standard encourages organizations to use recycled materials in production. Besides recycling the material, the GRS standards reduce the harmful effects of production.
The purpose of this certification is to protect natural resources. For example, by recycling, we can save our forests. So, for the production of sustainable textiles, the GRS certification, along with Forest Stewardship Council Certification, strengthens the organization.
This certification deals with the processing and trading of products made with recycled material. The products must be made with a minimum of 20% recycled material.
GRS covers the manufacturing process from the recycling to the B2B transaction stage. To achieve the GRS certificate, the companies must have at least 50% recycled materials in their products.
Materials GRS Deals with
The main focus of GRS is on the textile industry. However, it may cover other sectors as well. The most commonly covered textile items are:
· Recycled fabrics
· Recycled Feathers
· Recycled PET chips
· Recycled Filament
· Recycled Threads
These recycled materials end up in making the products, like:
Bags
Clothing
Bedsheets, bed covers, quilt covers, drapes, blankets, curtains, etc
Packaging materials
Benefits of GRS Certification
GRS standards have many positive impacts on sustainable textile production. Its benefits in the bag manufacturing are:
This certificate gives way to recycled materials in the market acceptance.
It helps reduce the negative impact caused by bag-making companies on the environment.
This certification assures that the materials used in the product are processed by keeping sustainability in concern.
The GRS standard helps companies to be innovative. The manufacturer may use creative ideas to maintain the quality of recycled materials.
This certificate is a tool to win customers’ confidence.
This certification is an authentic way to support the use of recycled materials and work for the environment's safety.
It is a certificate that helps you track the source of recycled material for the final products.
What Is TC?
TC means Transaction Certificates. TC is a certificate of assurance. You may get it from the GRS certifier. It confirms that the bags provided by the supplier are GRS certified.
The buyer can ask for the TC from the supplier.
Benefits of GRS for the Manufacturers
The GRS certification supports your business in several ways.
· GRS is a third-party verification process. So, you can confidently claim the quality of your clients.
· Also, with the help of GRS, you can quickly manage the traceability of your bag’s material.
· This certification gives a boost to your business. Investors, analysts, stakeholders, and agencies rate you better than those who don’t have a certificate. So, being a GRS certified is a step toward leadership.
Be Wise While Choosing
Many manufacturers in the bag industry have adopted the use of recycled materials. However, not all of them are GRS certified.
This certificate is not well adopted up until now. Therefore be wise while making a choice. Not all recycled bags are GRS certified.
3. GOTS Certification
Global Organic Textile Standard is the complete form of GOTS. It is a textile processing standard that deals with organic fibers. This certification works for environmental protection by rejecting the use of harmful raw materials in products.
GOTS certifies:
· No child labor
· Safe working conditions
· No discrimination
This certificate is committed to ensuring that the raw material used in the bag industry is organic and natural. No chemicals are used. The bags are made in an eco-friendly manner.
The raw material used in the bag industry must be per the ecological aspects. The chemicals needed for production must meet the environmental standards.
The bags approved by GOTS have a complete verified supply chain. The final product can get this certificate only when the whole supply chain is up to the GOTS standards.
After a thorough inspection and quality control, the authorities issue the GOTS certificate to the manufacturers and suppliers.
Importance of GOTS in the Bag Industry
To get a GOTS certificate, the final product must contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers and raw material.
· It helps the organizations in environmental management and is also safe for consumers.
· GOTS follows strict rules and standards. It ensures that the whole production process is up to GOTS standards.
· GOTS is a risk management instrument for a sustainable business.
· It’s a third-party certification that boosts your business.
· Your products are tested through GOTS. Also, it conducts the on-site examination.
· With the certificate, you get the verification of claims. It is beneficial for both customers and investors.
· The wastewater management system of GOTS helps to improve the environment.
· It’s a cost-effective solution for the production companies as they do not need to trace the supply chain.
· The popularity of GOTS is increasing rapidly. Leading textile industries and organic organizations entirely accept it.
· The certification for sustainability adds value to your bags.
4. OEKO TEX Certification
OEKO TEX is a certification that ensures no harmful substances are used in the products. The certificate provides a standard 100 label to the thoroughly inspected products and is acknowledged as non-hazardous.
The OEKO TEX standards are gaining popularity globally. The organization works for the betterment of humanity and helps the sustainable development of the environment.
It ensures that the textiles industry manufactures products free from hazardous materials.
Difference between OEKO TEX and Organic Certifications
The main difference between the two is:
· The organic standards ensure that the raw material used in the products is grown organically.
· Whereas the OEKO TEX checks that the products are safe for use. Whether the raw material is organic, it has no hazardous impact on humans or the environment.
However, OEKO TEX prefers using virgin raw materials than recycled ones. The organization states that the recycled material poses variable challenges due to their previous life.
What Does OEKO TEX Do?
OEKO TEX identifies that the raw material used by the manufacturer is environmentally friendly. It inspects every single material used in the end product like:
· Chemicals
· Auxiliaries
· Colorants
· Buttons
· Zippers
· Lining
The products with an OEKO TEX standard 100 labels are user-friendly. They are thoroughly tested. They do not harm your skin or body in any way.
OEKO TEX evaluates the products and their components. The most commonly inspected products by OEKO TEX are:
· Clothes
· Home textiles
· Blankets
· Pillows
As these products are in contact with your body in daily life, so safety is a must. So, OEKO TEX ensures that they don’t harm you or your loved ones.
For instance, if you purchase a baby blanket or bed set for your kids, you don’t want to buy a product that may cause allergies or rashes on your child’s skin.
A product with an OEKO TEX label gives you the confidence to purchase a non-hazardous product. These certifications help in environmental management by eliminating the usage of harmful substances.
Where to Get OEKO TEX Certified HandBags?
Besides textiles, the handbags made with cloth or leather may also be OEKO TEX certified. The organization checks every product and its component.
Length is a premium quality bag manufacturer. Here you may get handbags that are user non-hazardous for you. Also, they are manufactured by following sustainable production procedures.
5. Amfori BSCI Audits
(BSCI) Business Social Compliance Initiative is a certification by amfori. This certification is related to checking the standards of the workplace.
It monitors that the supply chains globally follow the environmentally friendly standards in their workplace.
This platform helps to:
· Reduce effort
· Save money
· Increase consistency (for buyers and suppliers)
BSCI is a system to check the working environment of a company. However, they don’t issue a certificate to the company.
The BSCI membership applies to the companies that do or do not play an active role in the supply chains.
The BSCI audits are appropriate for companies that work internationally or are a part of a supply chain. This audit helps the companies to strengthen their corporate actions. BSCI helps the company to be strong internally and in the supply chain.
Principles of BSCI Audits
Amfori BSCI platform works on 11 fundamental principles. All these rules are for the betterment and protection of labor.
It ensures that the manufacturers and supply chains follow this code of conduct and provide utmost protection to their labor.
These 11 principles are:
· Freedom of association and unions
· Fair remuneration
· Health and safety
· Protection for young workers
· Voluntary labor (no bonded workers)
· No corruption or unethical behaviors
· No discrimination
· Comfortable working hours
· No child labor
· Properly documented employment
· Eco-friendly production
Amfori BSCI keeps businesses informed about their social responsibility. Also, the organization keeps the laborers informed about their rights.
You can submit complaints and suggestions through the BSCI system.
Benefits of Amfori BSCI Audits
· BSCI audits help your company win the trust of customers, employees, and business partners.
· The audit serves as a foundation for future business relationships.
· In future tender procedures, you may gain advantages from BSCI audits.
· This audit shows that your company encourages fair and safe production in appropriate working conditions.
· BSCI audits to save you from multiple audits. Hence saving time and money.
· These audits are proof of your company’s improved working conditions.
· You have evidence that you are socially committed to providing better working conditions to your employees.
6. REACH Certificate of Compliance
REACH means Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a European regulation that works on the usage of harmful substances.
The main concern of REACH is to provide the EU markets with products that are free from hazardous chemicals.
This regulation works for the protection of human health. It can be issued by a third-party testing organization or could be a self-declaration.
REACH regulation doesn’t prohibit the use of chemicals. Instead, it ensures that the chemicals used in the production are non-hazardous.
You may choose the chemicals from the EU REACH-approved collection. You can also use the EU REACH registration number in your products.
Purpose of REACH Regulation
REACH regulation is used to:
· Protect humans from dangerous chemicals.
· Save the environment from harmful chemicals.
· Make the people understand the attached dangers with the chemicals. People who deal with chemicals must know their pros and cons. This regulation is a guideline for such suppliers.
· In the case of dangerous substances, the regulation provides the company with alternate solutions.
Benefits of REACH Regulation
The REACH regulations are beneficial in variable ways like:
· The REACH regulations cover all the sectors, whether related to the chemical industry or not.
· It equally covers the manufacturing, supplying, distributing, and retail sectors.
· Irrespective of your company size, REACH regulations apply everywhere.
· It helps the manufacturers and users be responsible for choosing and putting the products on the market.
What Substances Are Covered under REACH?
The REACH organization covers the majority of chemicals that are used in the products used in GB. These products can be local or imported.
Companies can use these substances individually, or they might be a part of a formula. The organization keeps a check on the substances like:
· Medicines for humans or animals
· Food and additives for foodstuff
· Products used for plant protection
· Biocides
· Substances used in the research and development sectors
Final Thought
The certifications mentioned above work for the world's environmental impact and human well-being.
The certified companies ensure that their impact on climate change is minimal. By dealing with such organizations, you can also work to better the world.