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Grüner Knopf

The Grüner Knopf (Green Button) is a German textile quality seal that sets binding requirements for companies in textile supply chains in order to protect people and the environment. A total of 46 rigorous social and environmental standards must be met.

Sustainable Textiles

    Key elements of Grüner Knopf

    The Grüner Knopf audit is carried out both at company and product level. The company audit offers the real added value of the Grüner Knopf compared to other textile labels: the companies prove that they know the human rights risks in their supply chains, report on them – and correct them. An important step towards more transparency in a global supply chain.

    More information about Grüner Knopf

    Grüner Knopf certification process

    At the product level, Grüner Knopf acts as a meta label. This means that the labeling of the products is based on already existing certificates, such as products which are certified according to GOTS.

    Apply for Grüner Knopf in the online portal

    About the certification

    Grüner Knopf was developed by the German Federal Ministry for Development and Cooperation (BMZ) in cooperation with the Association for International Cooperation (GIZ) since 2014, in close cooperation with Control Union Certifications as an independent certification body. Since September 2019, certification is now possible for brands, trading houses and retailers serving the German market.

    Apply for Grüner Knopf

    In order to be audited and certified against Grüner Knopf, you must first go through a preliminary interview with the Grüner Knopf administrative office. To do this, you must submit an application in the Grüner Knopf online portal.

    Preliminary meeting

    As soon as your application has been reviewed and accepted, you select an appointment for a preliminary meeting in the online portal. Afterwards or at the same time, you are welcome to contact us and we will schedule the initial audit.

    Initial Audit and cost

    The initial audit must also take place in the current situation at your site. The costs for the initial audit can be covered by the Ministry of Development under certain circumstances. This includes consulting services by the office as well as the initial certification and licensing costs.

    What you can expect from the Audit

    The audit lasts 1-2 days, depending on the size of the organization. The audit includes an introduction to the company, a short tour of the company’s premises and an evaluation of the company and product criteria by reviewing the documents and talking to the employees involved (e.g. NH management, Procurement, those responsible for various CSR areas, etc.).

    Certificate

    The certificate is valid for three years, with two follow-up audits after every 12 months.

    Five main elements

    There are five main elements in the corporate audit:

    • 1. Orientation of the company policy (policy statement on how to deal with certain things and what the expectations of suppliers and partners are)

    • 2. Preparation and evaluation of a risk analysis (for procurement or own business model)

    • 3. The development and implementation of appropriate policies (at the own site and at the suppliers’ site)

    • 4. Transparent external communication

    • 5. And the establishment of complaint management (for the supply chain and at manufacturing plants) and redress in the event of negative impacts occuring within the supply chain

    Recognized quality marks

    The product verification is carried out on the basis of already existing labels. An overview of the currently recognized quality marks can be found here.

    Overview of recognized quality marks
    Gruener Knopf Seal

    How you benefit

    • Transparent, public reporting on social and environmental issues

    • Working conditions in the production chain at least at Tier 1 level

    • Working conditions & environmental standards up to Tier 2 level for wet-processing

    • Identification and traceability of the organic material in the product through recognized certifications such as GOTS

    • Requirements for social responsibility in companies and their supply chains according to the criteria of, among others, the ILO, OECD and United Nations Guiding Principles (by means of the NAP)- i.e. exclusion of child labor, requirement for living wages and occupational health and safety

    How can we help you?

    Are you interested in additional information about Grüner Knopf certification or do you whish to apply for this certification program? Our scheme expert is eager to assist you.
    Teresa Krönung
    Scheme Expert
    textilberlin@controlunion.com