Sustainability | Certification | S&S Activewear

Certifications

Product Certification & Membership Verification

Third-party product certifications and membership verification support sustainability claims across materials, manufacturing, and supply chains.
In the S&S Responsible Products framework, each credential highlights a different aspect of product integrity - from chemical safety and environmental impact to social and labor standards.
Below, you can explore recognized certification programs, shop qualifying products where available, and access supporting documentation for participating brands.
BCI Logo
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
The Better Cotton Initiative promotes improved environmental and social practices in cotton production.
Learn more about BCI and its standards at the official Better Cotton website.
bluesign Logo
bluesign
bluesign focuses on responsible chemical management and environmental performance throughout textile production.
Learn more about bluesign® standards at the official bluesign website.
FLA Logo
Fair Labor Association (FLA)
The Fair Labor Association promotes safe, fair, and ethical working conditions across global supply chains.
Learn more about the FLA and its standards at the official FLA website.
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Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) verifies recycled content and includes environmental and social requirements throughout the supply chain.
Learn more about GRS at the Textile Exchange website.
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Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) verifies organic fiber integrity and includes environmental and social criteria across textile processing.
Learn more at the official GOTS website.
OEKO Cotton Logo
OEKO-TEX® Organic Cotton
OEKO-TEX® Organic Cotton supports verified organic cotton sourcing and product safety standards within the OEKO-TEX® framework.
Learn more at the official OEKO-TEX® website.
OEKO Standard Logo
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certifies that textiles have been tested for harmful substances and meet human-ecological safety standards.
Learn more about OEKO-TEX® certification at the official OEKO-TEX® website.
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Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)
The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) verifies recycled content in products through chain-of-custody tracking.
Learn more at the Textile Exchange website.
US Cotton Logo
U.S. Cotton
U.S. Cotton represents cotton grown in the United States under established agricultural and quality standards
Learn more at the official Cotton USA website.
USDA Logo
USDA Organic
USDA Organic certification verifies that agricultural products meet organic production standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Learn more at the official USDA website.

Accessing Certification Documentation

Certification or membership documentation is available for select programs and participating brands. Where certificates are published online, they can be accessed through the corresponding Certification Library page.
If a specific certificate is not listed, additional documentation may be available upon request depending on certification scope and brand participation.
For documentation inquiries, please contact your S&S sales representative or our customer service team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of certifications are included in the Responsible Products framework?
The framework includes certifications or memberships that address environmental performance, product safety, labor standards, and broader responsible business practices.
What do certifications like OEKO-TEX®, GRS, and GOTS actually validate?

Different programs validate different things:

  • OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 focuses on testing textiles for harmful substances (chemical safety).
  • GRS (Global Recycled Standard) focuses on verifying recycled content and includes additional requirements that support credibility across the supply chain.
  • GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) focuses on organic fiber integrity and requires environmentally and socially responsible processing across the entire supply chain.

Because they validate different dimensions, the right certification depends on what your customer or RFP requires.

Are all certifications product-specific?
No. Certification scopes vary - some are product-specific; others apply at the brand, facility, or company level.
What documentation can I request to support certification claims?
S&S customers may request materials that explain how a certification applies or confirm membership status, offering clarity behind the claim. Where certificates are published online, they can be accessed through the Certifications Page. If a specific certificate is not listed online, additional documentation may be available upon request depending on certification scope and brand participation.
What's the difference between a certification and a test report?
A test report provides results from a specific lab test, while a certification verifies that a product, facility, or company meets an established standard and can claim it. Certifications are issued by independent third parties, whereas test reports may come from third-party or in-house labs.
How often are certification documents updated?
Certification documentation is reviewed and updated as renewal documentation becomes available or certification status changes. S&S maintains internal validation processes to support certification transparency and documentation management.

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