Germany Unveils 'Green Button' For Sustainable Textiles

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Germany Unveils 'Green Button' For Sustainable Textiles

Development Minister Gerd Müller has said the new initiative guarantees a responsible supply chain. But critics say it is too weak to make a difference. German Development Minister Gerd Müller presented the country's new "Green Button" seal for sustainable textiles. The new scheme is meant to ensure that consumers can purchase clothing that has achieved certain social and environmental standards, including a minimum wage for textile workers and a ban on child labour, as well as the use of certain chemicals and air pollutants. "Everyone said that there was no way you could certify an entire supply chain right up into the storefront," Muller said. "But we have shown that is indeed possible with the example of textiles." The seal has already been applied to products from some smaller German brands, but also large chains like Lidl and Tchibo. 'Too weak' However, the new scheme has been heavily criticised by the textile industry, which says it is superfluous and has created duplicate structures to those that already exist. They also pointed out that if only Germany was taking part, it wouldn't make any real difference in a globalised sector. "The initiative is good, but the implentation is not," said Uwe Wötzel of the "Clean Clothes Campaign." Germany's office for consumer protection said that they would have to wait and see what effects, if any, the seal had on the clothing industry in the country.