"Germany launches new, state-approved label for environmentally certified “Green Button” textiles (Grüner Knopf)", 17 Sep 2019

On 9 September 2019, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung – BMZ) introduced a new, state-regulated environmental label for “Green Button” (Grüner Knopf) certified textiles with a press release, available here. The BMZ also launched the official Green Button website, which is available in German at http://www.gruener-knopf.de/...

The Green Button is the first state-regulated environmental certification to combine product-related and company-related requirements: Textile products must have social and environmental characteristics. In addition, companies must incorporate specific business procedures into the relevant supply chain (chain of custody) to demonstrate a duty of care for human rights and concern for the environment...

While 27 companies have already obtained Green Button certification and several other companies are currently in the certification process, the feedback from the industry has been mixed. In particular, there has been criticism of the choice of certification criteria and the reduced scope of assessment during the introductory phase. Concerns have also been raised that the Green Button may be utilized as a tool for “green washing.” ...

However, the Green Button also has many supporters from all walks of life.