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A Review of Sustainability Standards and Ecolabeling in the Textile Industry

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Listed:
  • Sofia Plakantonaki

    (Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Campus 2 Thivon 250, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

  • Kyriaki Kiskira

    (Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Campus 2 Thivon 250, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Zacharopoulos

    (Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Campus 2 Thivon 250, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

  • Ioannis Chronis

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Campus 2, Thivon 250, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

  • Fernando Coelho

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Amir Togiani

    (Laborartory of Production Engineering, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Konstantinos Kalkanis

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Campus 2, Thivon 250, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

  • Georgios Priniotakis

    (Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, Campus 2 Thivon 250, 12244 Aigaleo, Greece)

Abstract

Environmental damage and the resulting global warming are two of the most serious threats to living species. These problems are the result of industrialization in all fields. The textile and fashion industries bear a negative impact on the environment and contribute significantly to water, air, and solid waste pollution. Over the last decades, consumer buying habits have shifted, and clothing purchases have increased dramatically. The manufacturing process of these textiles, from pretreatment to dyeing and finishing, involves the use of numerous chemicals that are harmful to both humans and the planet. Textiles have been identified as unsustainable products due to their entire life cycle, from raw material cultivation to manufacturing, and generate a large amount of toxic waste and greenhouse gases. Therefore, embedding sustainability in strategy is essential to meet evolving investor pressure, consumer demand, and regulatory requirements. More alternatives are available, such as ecofriendly textiles. Governments are promoting the idea of ecolabels and sustainability standards that endorse the textile’s “ecofriendliness”. Ecolabeling stimulates consumers and manufacturers to buy and produce ecotextiles, simultaneously allowing consumers to compare the various products. Consumers are gradually requesting more ecofriendly products. To save our environment and future generations, the textile industry must become more sustainable. Major brands should implement sustainable manufacturing practices. This review paper investigates the requirements of ecofriendly textiles, restricted substances, and ecolabeling in the textile industry and highlights the need to enhance the expertise and information existing in the design process with regard to the sustainability of finished products in order to create a more sustainable textile sector. Such a shift is only feasible if the designers are guided by a clear vision of design for sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Plakantonaki & Kyriaki Kiskira & Nikolaos Zacharopoulos & Ioannis Chronis & Fernando Coelho & Amir Togiani & Konstantinos Kalkanis & Georgios Priniotakis, 2023. "A Review of Sustainability Standards and Ecolabeling in the Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11589-:d:1203657
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Filipa D. Fonseca & Lyudmyla Symochko & M. Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro, 2024. "Grape Pomace ( Vitis vinifera L.) Waste Valorization: Assessing Its Potential as a Sustainable Natural Dye for Textiles Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Jian, Wenze & Zhong, Ziqi, 2025. "Eco positioning drives sustainable fashion consumption through process related strategies and brand familiarity," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 128137, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Melike Bildirici & Irmak Türkkahraman & Özgür Ömer Ersin, 2024. "Unraveling the Environmental Impacts of the Fashion Industry: A Fourier-Based Analysis of Pollution Dynamics and Causality Across Five Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Khaliquzzaman Choudhury & Marina Tsianou & Paschalis Alexandridis, 2024. "Recycling of Blended Fabrics for a Circular Economy of Textiles: Separation of Cotton, Polyester, and Elastane Fibers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-49, July.
    5. Hakan Alıcı & Beyza Nur Yiğit & Betül Menemencioğlu & Kübra Tümay Ateş & Özge Demirdelen & Tuğçe Demirdelen & Ziya Kıvanç, 2024. "Analysis of Carbon Footprint Including Process-Level Calculation and Its Influencing Factors of Process for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-24, November.
    6. Agnė Jučienė & Inga Gurauskienė & Jolita Kruopienė, 2025. "Calculating the Environmental Impact Reduction Due to Extended Lifespan of Clothing Through Clothing Swaps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-22, May.
    7. Crisan Popescu & Michaela Dina Stanescu, 2024. "Eco-Friendly Processing of Wool and Sustainable Valorization of This Natural Bioresource," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-35, May.

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