Is bamboo clothing ethically produced?

As consumers become more aware of the ethical issues and implications that surround the clothing that they wear, they want to know more about the ethical credentials of not only the companies making the final piece of clothing but the whole supply chain. With clothing, the supply chain can be particularly complicated with growing the raw material, spinning, manufacturing the fabric, dying, producing the final product, plus the manufacture of trims, buttons etc each comprising of a different link in the supply chain. So how can consumers ensure that their bamboo clothing has been ethically produced?

The SA8000 standard provides a common framework for ethical sourcing for all types and sizes of companies anywhere in the world. It includes provisions for trade union rights, the use of child labour, working hours, health and safety at work and fair pay.

Companies can also be registered with SEDEX, the supplier ethical data exchange which connects businesses with their global suppliers to share ethical data and enable continuous improvement in ethical performance.

The ethical credentials of clothing also closely linked to its environmental credentials. In order to be produced ethically, The growth of raw material or clothing manufacture should not cause significant environmental damage or risks to the health of people living near by. The Organic standard of OCIA and NOP ensures that bamboo is grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilisers.

Some bamboo clothing also contains cotton. The Fairtrade policy is also a good way of ensuring that cotton has been produced ethically.