Why bother with eco-labels?

What: Sustainability is at the forefront of everyone's minds in the fashion world, and it is a major driver of consumer decisions. 

Why it is important: Sustainability labels are becoming too complex. Going forward, transparency, accountability, and traceability will be essential for the success of any business connected to fashion. 

Sustainable, eco-friendly, natural, and green are some words you might see written on the tags of clothing and other fashion goods. Introductions of labels, certifications, and standards related to sustainability have multiplied, but what do they really mean? To what extent are these initiatives making a difference versus just making businesses and consumers feel better about consumption habits and routines? Are businesses genuinely encouraging conscious brands and consumer habits, or are they merely checking off their CSR requirements? 

IADS provides its members with a weekly in-depth analysis on retail-oriented topics. This is an example of the themes the Association regularly addresses, and the topic of an article from the IADS members-only newsletter date 09 June 2021.