and the certifications available for different industries. The CFDA also has a huge amount of useful information in its Sustainable Resources Library, a resource that we use regularly. The Australian Forestry Standard has now become Responsible Wood, here you can search for safe brands and standards for wooden and paper products. The world leader in Sustainable Forestry is PEFC, this is the gold standard in worldwide regulation throughout the entire forestry supply chain ensuring the highest ecological, social and ethical standards for forest-based products. OEKO-TEX is another certification body to look out for. Their focus is on chemical safety in products (especially important when looking at products for babies and individuals with reduced immunity). OEKO-TEX has now created its new Eco-Passport Certification, focusing on environmental and social standards, with regular testing to ensure certified

products that have no harmful chemicals for the environment. In Australia, you can also search the industrial chemical

factories are maintaining these

register–anyone importing or manufacturing body products,

standards. The entire supply chain is

candles and home or body fragrances must be registered

then Certified GOTS Organic, which is

with AICIS. You can search ingredients on their site and

better for the farmers, the artisans, the

make sure that you are not inadvertently contributing to

end consumers and the earth.

the problem.

The Council of Fashion Designers of

Now we know that certification is not always possible, it is

America (CFDA) has a great website

the gold standard and costs more to become certified and

listing all the available materials for

to maintain certification, so the next element to look for is

textiles and fashion, and a wealth of

natural and recycled fibres.

information offering the best choices 22  giftguideonline.com.au

Select products that are made with sustainable materials