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What is a HardGreen product?

Discover our environmentally-responsible selection!
 

We care about our planet and, even though we're far from perfect, we take small initiatives to make big changes. That's why we decided to create the HardGreen selection. This selection aims to help you find the best environmentally-designed products to take with you on your adventure. It will also allow us to verify that the number of environmentally-responsible products offered in our catalog increases every year. We can only improve what we measure.

In order to be included in the HardGreen selection, a product must meet criteria that ensure its design and durability are environmentally friendly. This can include the manufacturing process, the materials used or low energy consumption. In addition, to be part of the HardGreen selection, an item must have one of the labels or characteristics listed below. To define these, we work in close collaboration with our partner brands that are most committed to protecting the environment.

Better Cotton Initiative : The aim of the Better Cotton Initiative is to improve the cultivation of cotton, in every respect: for the producers, for the cultivation environment, but also for the future of the sector. Thanks to the BCI, farmers are learning to use water efficiently, to look after the soil and natural habitats, and to use fewer chemical products, while respecting the rights and the well-being of the workers. Products bearing this label are designed with at least 50% cotton from a supplier or brand that is committed to purchasing BCI cotton and supporting its growers.

Organic : An organic product is designed with at least 50% ingredients from organic agriculture. That is to say, a natural method of production that does not use any synthetic chemical products.

Biodegradable : A product is biodegradable if, after its use, it can be naturally decomposed by biological organisms (bacteria, fungi, algae...) within a compatible environment (temperature, humidity, brightness, oxygen etc.). A biodegradable product decomposes without any negative impact on our environment.

Bluesign™ : BlueSign was conceived right in the mountains, in Switzerland to be precise. This international label adopts a global approach in order to guarantee transparency and traceability within the textile sector. It ensures the absence of substances that are toxic towards people and the environment during the production process, the optimal management of water and energy resources, and the processing of waste.

Organic cotton : Products featuring this label are designed with at least 50% organic cotton. This cotton is produced without pesticides, synthetic fertilisers or genetically modified seeds. Furthermore, organic agricultural processes guarantee that farmers produce more than one crop, in order to ensure the regeneration of the soils and to supplement their revenue. Organic cotton also generates significant water savings, as it is generally rain-fed.

Ecomaterial : This label is awarded to products that are produced using at least 50% environmentally-conscious materials, which encourages the conservation of water and the protection of the forests. FCS-certified wood, paper, rubber or cork, as well as hemp, jute, lyocell, and other environmentally-responsible viscose fabrics are good examples.

EU Ecolabel : Products and services bearing the EU Ecolabel must meet exacting requirements in terms of environmental protection, throughout their entire life cycle: from the extraction of the primary materials, to product, distribution, and ultimately, the disposal of the product.

Fair Trade Certified™ : The Fair Trade Certified™ label guarantees manufacture in accordance with demanding economic, social and environmental standards. Fair Trade USA works with producers to ensure that all persons manufacturing fair trade-certified products perform their job safely, take care of the planet, and to promote and increase autonomy within their community.

Fair Wear Foundation : Monitoring and improving working conditions within the textile industry is the primary mission of the Fair Wear Foundation. This is an independent foundation that collaborates with member companies to guarantee decent working conditions, and to improve them. It has created its own labour code, founded on 8 standard practices, drawing inspiration from the conventions of the ILO (International labour Organisation) and International human Rights Law. It should be noted that the Fair Wear Foundation guides companies towards an ethical approach, but does not issue any label.

Fairtrade Cotton : Alongside suitable remunerations, the Fairtrade Cotton certification guarantees that producers receive additional premiums for investment in their communities. And that's not all! Fairtrade Cotton ensures the health and safety of producers, promotes the ecologically sound use of water, and prohibits the use of dangerous chemical products or genetically modified cotton. Products bearing this label are designed with at least 50% fairly traded cotton.

Global Organic Textile Standard : The Global Organic Textile Standard is the global benchmark for the assessment of textiles made from organic fibres. It incorporates social and environmental aspects, and is based on the independent certification of each step in the supply chain. This enables a guarantee of respectful manufacturing, right up to the completion of the final product. Items bearing this label are designed with at least 70% organic fibres.

Global Recycled Standard : When it comes to the verification of recycled products, the Global Recycled Standard is one of the most reliable benchmarks. It incorporates social and environmental aspects, and is based on the independent certification of each step in the supply chain. This enables a guarantee of respectful manufacturing, right up to the completion of the final product. Items bearing this label are designed with at least 50% organic fibres.

Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS) : NSF Sustainability is the only international certification to provide complete auditing and certification services around the world, from the farm to the finished product. The NSF Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS) label attests that the down used in garments, household and commercial products comes from a responsible source, which adheres to animal welfare standards and can be fully traced, with complete transparency.

Green Shape : Green Shape is the label created by VAUDE to offer functional and environmentally responsible products, made from sustainable materials. It takes into account the entire product lifecycle, enforcing strict standards - from design and production, to maintenance, repair and disposal. As with primary materials, the production sites also the rigorous Green Shape environmental standards and guarantee fair working conditions.

Grüner Knopf : The État Grüner Knopf label encompasses requirements both with regard to product, but also the entirety of the producing company. The certification is only granted if both the product and the company meet all of the specified criteria. In total, 46 strict social and environmental criteria are examined: 20 for the company and 26 for the product. This label shows us that the textile industry can be sustainable!

Leather Working Group : The Leather Working Group ensures the improvement of the environmental impact of the leather industry, by promoting better practices amongst leather manufacturers. They are assessed and awarded a quality environmental certification, developed by brands, retailers, producers, suppliers of chemical products and technical experts. Products bearing this label contain leather from bronze, silver or gold-certified producers, in accordance with the Leather Working Group protocol.

Low Impact : The Low Impact standard is based on two criteria that are essential to environmentally-friendly design: materials with a low environmental impact (at least 40% of the weight of the product consists of low impact materials), and certified materials (at least 80% of the weight of the product must be Bluesign®-certified).

Neokdun® : The Neokdun® label guarantees down that is 100% recycled and respectful towards the environment. The European origin of Neokdun® is controlled by means of a traceability standard (NVP Traceability Standard), which is audited by a third party and guarantees ethical sourcing. Ternua is the first Outdoor brand to use Neokdun® down.

Oeko-Tex : The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 enjoys global recognition when it comes to the testing of harmful substances contained in textiles. Each component in a product bearing the Standard 100 label has been tested for harmful substances, which ensures a product that poses no danger to human health. The test is performed by independent Oeko-Tex® partner institutions, based on a long list of criteria.

Organic Blended Content Standard : The Organic Blended Content Standard is based on a solid chain of custody, tracking the flow or primary materials, from the source to the finished product, in order to verify the presence of biological material in a product. The label applies to products containing a minimum of 50% biological material. It is based on the independent certification of each step in the supply chain. However, this label does not take into account the use of chemical products, nor social and environmental aspects.

Organic Content Standard (OCS) : The Organic Blended Content Standard is based on a solid chain of custody, tracking the flow or primary materials, from the source to the finished product, in order to verify the presence of biological material in a product. The label applies to products containing a minimum of 95% biological material. It is based on the independent certification of each step in the supply chain. However, this label does not take into account the use of chemical products, nor social and environmental aspects.

Recycled : Made from old clothing, plastic bottles or fishing nets, products bearing this label contain at least 20% recycled materials. This saves water and energy, as well as raw materials, thus reducing the environmental footprint.

Responsible Down Standard : The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) label defends the welfare of animals, by prohibiting the sampling of feathers and the forced feeding of birds. Products bearing this label only contain certified fibres, and an independent certification is performed at each step in the supply chain.

Responsible Wool Standard : The Responsible Wool Standard label guarantees the protection of animals and best practices regarding the protection of protected areas. Products bearing this label only contain certified wool and an independent certification is performed at each step in the supply chain.

Vegan : Recognised worldwide ever since its creation in 1944, the Vegan Society registered trademark guarantees that no animal ingredients have been used in the manufacture of a product (components and finished product), that it has not been tested on animals and that it is GMO-free. Thanks to this logo, you can rest assured that your product is 100% plant-based.

For our children and a responsible future, let's consume less and consume better!