Navigating the jungle of sustainability labels
When you're shopping these days, you get the impression that practically EVERYTHING is somehow "eco," "fair," or "green." The problem, however, is that none of these terms are legally protected. This means that virtually any company can give itself these labels without actually having to do anything to earn them. To avoid falling for these marketing buzzwords, transparency is crucial, and that's precisely what reputable eco-labels stand for. Unfortunately, there are now so many of them that it's easy to lose track. That's why we've compiled a list here explaining what the certifications you'll find on our No Shit products actually mean.
PS: Under every product in the shop you will find the section "Sustainability" with information on production and eco-labels.
1. Material & Safety: Because your shirt shouldn't be toxic on your skin.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
This seal is like a health check for textiles: it tests fabrics, threads, buttons, prints—in short, everything on your shirt—for over 1,000 potentially harmful substances. From formaldehyde and pesticides to heavy metals: if a garment bears this certificate, it means there are no questionable residues that could make skin contact risky. Especially for clothing worn directly against the skin, this is a strong quality guarantee. Important: OEKO-TEX does not automatically cover organic materials or fair production; it is solely about safety and freedom from harmful substances.
2. Ecological & social textile production: Because origin, environment and human rights matter
GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS is probably the best-known and strictest standard for sustainable textiles. Why? Because it covers organic fibers, environmental standards, and social working conditions along the entire supply chain, from cotton cultivation to the finished garment and sale.
For the GOTS label "organic," at least 95% of the fibers must be certified organic. For "made with organic," it's at least 70%. The use of harmful chemicals (e.g., heavy metals, formaldehyde, genetically modified substances) is also prohibited or strictly regulated.
The GOTS label also verifies compliance with social standards. Child labor and forced labor are prohibited, fair wages and safe working conditions are mandatory, and every link in the supply chain must be certified. Furthermore, GOTS also checks whether accessories (buttons, prints, etc.) meet the standards. This ensures that you're not just wearing organic cotton, but a promise of environmental responsibility, fair production, and genuine sustainability.
3. Recycling & Raw Material Transparency: Because recycling and environmental awareness matter
GRS – Global Recycled Standard
GRS certifies fabrics and products made from recycled materials, such as recycled polyester or cotton, and combines this with social and environmental standards. By doing so, you support resource-efficient production instead of new production.
OCS – Organic Content Standard
OCS allows you to trace whether parts of a product truly come from organically produced fibers, completely without greenwashing. This is especially important if you value transparency regarding the origin of raw materials.
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council
Not directly for fabric, but crucial for our posters and printing materials: FSC-certified means that paper and wood products come from responsibly managed forests, i.e., that forestry is also sustainable.
AWARE™ Tracer Technology
AWARE™ is a technology that ensures high transparency and traceability in textile production. It allows you to verify that recycled materials and raw materials truly originate from the stated sources and are not simply "added" to create the illusion of sustainability. The journey of recycled materials and certified raw materials is tracked throughout the entire supply chain, from production and processing to the finished product. If you value genuine sustainability, this tracer technology allows you to track the materials used in real time.
4. Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Because animals have rights too
EVE VEGAN
The EVE VEGAN seal is a guaranteed vegan standard that ensures no animal-derived ingredients are used in the production of a product. It goes beyond mere ingredient testing and guarantees that no animal products are used during production, whether in textiles, dyeing methods, or the use of auxiliary materials such as adhesives. Anyone seeing this seal on a product can be certain that it was produced 100% without animal testing and without any animal-derived materials.
Peta VEGAN
The PETA VEGAN label is also a well-known symbol for cruelty-free and vegan products. Awarded by the animal rights organization PETA, it verifies that the product is completely free of animal-derived ingredients. PETA is one of the world's leading animal welfare organizations and therefore offers a trusted and reliable guide for making ethically responsible purchasing decisions.
How to recognize true sustainability and when caution is advised.
Reputable seals of approval are not just buzzwords, but legally regulated standards. To be on the safe side, look for:
- Quality seal + license number or test number on the label or packaging
- Official database verifiability, e.g., with GOTS you can check license numbers, with OEKO-TEX the code
- Specific details in the product description instead of vague promises like "made from sustainable fabric"
Many labels that advertise with "organic" or "eco" are simply marketing, without any real certification. No independent audit, no traceability, no control.
Why we at No Shit Shirts focus on transparency
We believe fashion can express a stance, and that's only possible with clarity. That's why we list the (genuine) certifications under each product in the "Sustainability" section: GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, GRS, etc. This way, you know from the start what you're getting and that your No Shit Shirts are truly sustainable, fair, and safe.
Takeaways
- Seals of approval are not a nice-to-have: they show that environmental and social standards have been verified by independent bodies.
- Check seals and license numbers: This is how you recognize genuine certificates instead of marketing labels and greenwashing buzzwords.
- With No Shit Shirts you can see exactly what you're getting: Maximum transparency for every product.
Sources (as of December 13, 2025):
OEKO-TEX® – STANDARD 100
GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard
GRS – Global Recycled Standard
OCS – Organic Content Standard
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification
AWARE™ – EarthColors™ & Tracer Technology
EVE VEGAN – Vegan Certification Standard
PETA – Approved Vegan Label
