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The social trend towards more sustainable living is spreading. Increasingly, conscious consumers are making careful purchasing decisions, demanding transparency and questioning claims - especially in clothing and textiles. As a result, consumers are favouring trustworthy brands and pressuring retailers and producers to help them live a more sustainable life.

The United Nations’ World Children’s Day, set for November 20, brings people together to promote awareness around improving children’s welfare. The UN is calling for mothers, fathers, teachers, society activists, corporate entities, young people and more to play an important role in making World Children’s Day relevant for communities and nations worldwide.  

We are surrounded by textiles in our homes, from bedding to carpets and curtains to couches. While we all want to make safer, more sustainable purchasing decisions, it can be a struggle to incorporate these shopping habits into our daily lives - mainly because it’s hard to determine which brands to believe in. But these decisions don’t need to be hard. In fact, we should feel joy and confidence when investing in products we trust.

September is a great time to reflect on our precious planet. World Clean Up Day is September 19th and European Sustainable Development Week runs from September 20th -26th.

Sustainability has been at the core of OEKO-TEX®’s identity for almost three decades. We are pleased to see more people and businesses are thinking about how their actions effect the environment. Collectively and individually, we are all responsible for the health of this Earth. As we all strive toward creating a greener tomorrow, the OEKO-TEX® mission remains steadfast: making the textile and leather industry more sustainable, trustworthy and safe.

Now more than ever, it is important to be compassionate towards other people and the planet. International Day of Friendship, set for July 30, celebrates the idea that friendship between people, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

World Oceans Day, set for June 8, encourages the global community to celebrate and honor our oceans and work together to protect and restore them. It is a time to focus on how the textile industry can be accountable for the what goes into the water.

Face masks have become instrumental in fighting the spread of COVID-19. As result, our faces will be in constant contact with textiles as a part of daily life. This is particularly true for essential workers. Certain chemicals used in textiles and during textile production can cause ailments to people who wear the clothing made with them. The elderly and allergy sufferers are especially sensitive. Since face masks directly cover our noses and mouths and we breathe through them, it is critical to test them for harmful substances. 

Earth Day is an important reminder that we must all take responsibility and act in ways that protect our planet. It is an opportunity to pause and consider how our actions impact the health of the Earth.