Glossary of Terms
Forest Stewardship Council®

 FSC® is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. It was founded in 1993 in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood-labelling scheme.

 Only FSC® certified companies are allowed to apply the FSC® label onto products. All FSC® certified products shown in this catalogue are supplied by a Registered FSC® Certificate holder. Supplier FSC® ID Code: GFA-COC-001798

 Only those items listed with the FSC® logo in this catalogue are certified independently to FSC® standards. Items carrying the FSC® logo must also carry the Chain of Custody number of the certified supplier.


Blue Angel

 Created in 1978 The Blue Angel claims to be the oldest environment-related label for products and services in the world. Focused initially on recycled products the Blue Angel certificate has now been broadened to include other environmental benefits.

 The Blue Angel promotes the concerns of both environmental protection and consumer protection. It is awarded to products and services which - from a holistic point of view - are of considerable benefit to the environment and meet high standards of serviceability, health and occupational protection. Economical use of raw materials during production and use, a long service life and a sustainable disposal – all these are factors of great importance.


Fairtrade Certified Cotton

The Fairtrade Certification Mark is your independent guarantee that the cotton in this product has been certified in accordance with international Fairtrade Standards.The purchase of this product made with Fairtrade Certified Cotton enables the improvement of working and living conditions of Cotton Producers in developing countries and encourages environmental protection.

 Only registered companies holding a current FLO-CERT certificate are allowed to apply the Fairtrade label onto products. All Fairtrade certified bags shown in this catalogue are supplied by a Registered Fairtrade Certificate holder and licensee.

 Only those items in this catalogue listed with the Fairtrade logo are certified independently to Fairtrade standards.


Organic Cotton

The “Global Organic Textile Standard” (GOTS),which is defined by organisations from Germany, Great Britain, the USA and Japan, includes the whole supply chain: From controlled biological of the raw materials to social standards through to the finishing.

 Accredited certifiers, e.g. the independent controlling organisation “Institute for Marketecology” (IMO) based in Switzerland, monitor the compliance of the stringent criteria. Textiles certified by the IMO according to GOTS are labelled with the “Global Organic Textile Standard” mark of quality.


Bio Mark

Since September 2001, all agricultural products and foodstuffs from organic farming may be labelled with the national Bio-Siegel (eco label) of Germany. The small hexagonal logo with the inscription “Bio” brings about clarity, uniformity and orientation for organic or eco products respectively. Consumers can rely on it: “If it says ‘Bio’ on the outside it contains organic products.”

 Only producers and manufacturers who comply with the provisions of the EU Organic Farming Regulation and subject themselves to the mandatory inspections may sell their products as organic or eco goods and label them accordingly with the Bio-Siegel.


The EU Leaf Mark

For years many countries have had there own regulations for “organic” products, and many different logos.In 2010 the EU brought out a new Mark for organic food products complimented by a strict set of rules these products and producers have to comply with.

 The EU Leaf Mark is legally binding and the only sign acknowledged in all european countries. The german BIO Logo is well known in many parts of Europe and can still be used alongside the new EU Leaf Mark which must be used by EU law if goods are referred to as organic. (Only Products that can be used as nutrition can be certified with these two organic marks).


Recycled PET

 Bottles made of PET (Polyethelene Teraphthalate) are recycled to reuse the material out of which they are made and to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.

 PET plastic bottles are coded with the code number “1” inside the recycling symbol, usually located on the bottom of the container. The waste PET must be separated from other plastics such as PVC, HDPE, polypropylene and polyethylene as well as any waste; paper, food, metal etc

 The recycled PET is shredded, crushed and processed before “flakes” are used as a raw material for making items normally produced from polyester. Items produced include, umbrella canopies, lanyards, bags and some clothing items.


Sustainable Jute

 Jute is a rain-fed crop with little need for fertilizer or pesticides. A natural plant with a four month growing cycle jute is a sustainable, biodegradable and renewable source of raw material. Jute is a long, soft, shiny plant fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads.

 Jute is second only to cotton in the amount produced and variety of uses from any natural fibers. Collected from the skin of the plant the fiber is partially a textile and partially wood based. 85% of the worlds Jute production is concentrated in Bangladesh and India, mainly Bengal.


Biodegradable Corn Starch “Plastics”

Corn starch plastic is renewable, non-polluting and compostable, replacing the need for limited oil reserves by using sustainable plants. During growth, plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere – this carbon is extracted to form Corn Starch plastic. The carbon is locked up in the bioplastic until it is thrown away.

 Once added to compost or landfill, corn starch plastic starts to decompose. The level of gasses released by the degrading plastic are the same as those absorbed by the plant during its growth, meaning no extra increase in greenhouse gasses.