"Sustainability labels must be trustworthy. Otherwise there is a risk of greenwashing," emphasises Anders Carlsson, CEO of Blåkläder. Reliable standards would make it easier for customers to make conscious decisions and at the same time drive ecological and social change in the textile industry.
A label with high standards
The OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label ensures that a garment fulfils strict sustainability criteria. This includes, among other things, that environmental aspects are taken into account throughout the entire value chain, that safe and fair working conditions are guaranteed and that every product can be fully traced. In addition, the materials are tested for harmful substances.
The number of certified products at Blåkläder is growing continuously. After an initial 14 articles successfully passed the test procedure in 2024, the company has now been able to significantly increase the number of certified products. "We are proud that so many of our garments already fulfil the demanding requirements," says Carlsson. "However, our aim is for our entire range to carry this label in the long term."
However, the certification process is very extensive. Even with our own production facilities and almost complete transparency in the supply chain, the audit takes time. A sign of how rigorous the OEKO-TEX® standards really are.
Sustainability along the entire supply chain
For Blåkläder, sustainability is not a short-term trend, but part of the corporate strategy. OEKO-TEX® standards have been integrated into the production processes for over 20 years. Since 2018, the company has also had its production chain certified according to the STeP by OEKO-TEX® standard, which assesses environmental performance and social responsibility throughout the entire production process.
A decisive advantage: 98 per cent of Blåkläder garments will be produced in the company's own factories in 2026. This means that Blåkläder retains control over working conditions, material procurement and production processes. Many of these production facilities are also certified according to LEED - an international standard for sustainable buildings that includes criteria such as energy efficiency, water consumption, working environment and CO₂ emissions.
For Carlsson, one thing is clear: companies that cannot monitor their production closely will find it difficult to improve working conditions or reduce their carbon footprint. That's why buyers of workwear should pay more attention to ensuring that their suppliers can monitor and actively influence sustainability along the entire supply chain.
#schongenial when Blåkläder, which now has 250 certified products, shows how transparency, responsibility and long-lasting quality can come together in the workwear industry.
