Certificates show us, for instance, the social or environmental responsibility of a brand. Tens of brands in Weecos have a certificate on their materials used but it is not compulsory as all the brands in Weecos have passed our auditing before opening their shop. Our promise is that the brands in Weecos know where their products are made and who makes them.
The core idea of a certificate is to show that the products are made according to certain standards. These standards can refer to social or environmental responsibility or that the materials used are organic or do not contain certain chemicals.
The criteria for getting a certificate, however, vary a lot and can be quite expensive. Implementing certificates into the business is also far away from quick. Therefore, many smaller brands cannot certify their products. That doesn’t, however, mean that their products aren’t made respecting people, animals and the planet. Many brands can also use certified materials, such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-tex, in their production. In the textile industry, the most common certificates are GOTS, OEKO-tex, Fair Trade and Fair Wear Foundation and these are also used by tens of brands in Weecos. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and PEFC are used by many who have wooden jewellery or furniture, paper products or postcards. A great number of products are also mulesing free.
As said previously, there are over 460 eco-labels and the number is increasing. It takes a lot of time to get to know what’s behind Rainforest Alliance, GOTS or BSCI, not to even mention the mysterious number codes ISO 9001 or SA8000.
Weecos has gathered trustworthy choices, sustainable brands together and our promise to customers is that the brands in Weecos know where their products are made and who makes them. Tens of the brands have a certificate on the materials used and this information can be found from the products. However, it is not compulsory to have a certificate before opening a shop in Weecos, due to the reasons given before, as we audit all the brands before joining Weecos. All the brands in share the values of sustainability and the entrepreneurs chosen into Weecos have opened their supply chains, working conditions, materials used and their actions of responsibility.
In addition, we want to tell the stories behind the brands and share their ideas of sustainability. Here are some of the Weecos Journal stories on Kätkö Koru, Lovia, Terhi Pölkki and Ekoru. Read how they handle sustainable production in making leather goods and jewellery. Enjoy!