Ecolabels as drivers of clothing design

In recent decades, the textile industry has worked to reduce its negative social and environmental impacts. Identifying and addressing important sustainability considerations already in the clothing design are of increasing importance in the continuation of this work. Many companies look to ecolabelling schemes as means to set performance criteria and to demonstrate progress to customers. This study investigates the connection between ecolabels and clothing design from the perspective of moving the garment industry towards sustainability. Information gathered from literature was aligned and contrasted with interviews conducted with employees of garment companies in Sweden, and the material was analysed using a life-cycle perspective. The results reveal that the clothing design process currently only marginally influences clothing's sustainability performance by applying ecolabelling criteria. For a more sustainable textile industry there is a need to expand the expertise and information already in the design process regarding sustainability of their finished products. Such a change is only possible if the designers can be guided by a clear vision of design for sustainability for the company they work in.