Certificates
Nordic Swan Ecolabel
Most of our products are dyed at our own dyehouse in Denmark and certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. What does this actually mean for you as a DILLING customer?
To be certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, there are five things that need to be managed and are thoroughly checked at least once a year:
- The supply chain
- Raw materials
- Durability
- Dyeing agents and chemicals
- Working conditions
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel has strict demands for eco-friendliness in production. In particular, the dyeing process is subject to tough criteria – for example, it is not permitted to use any heavy metals. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel also has criteria covering good working conditions and high quality in products that will ensure long lasting products.
You can find our Nordic Swan Ecolabel licence here.
The five areas of inspection
The supply chain
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel requires that the supply chain is transparent. For us, this means that we know where our organic merino wool and cotton comes from, where and how it is spun, knitted, dyed, cut, sewn, packed, transported, and finally delivered.
Raw materials
In relation to raw materials, it is important to note that the Nordic Swan Ecolabel is an environmental label - rather than an organic label. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel requires that, if the raw materials are grown organically, they should be GOTS certified. At DILLING, we put great value on this requirement for the raw materials we use in our clothing and underwear. Both our cotton and merino wool are 100% organic*.
*A very limited number of products in our assortment contain upwards of 50% conventional cotton.
Durability
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel requires the products to be hard-wearing with good colour. In other words, our products must be able to withstand regular wear and tear. The quality standards are high, and our products are designed and produced for longevity and durability.
Dyeing agents and chemicals
Regarding dyeing agents and chemicals, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel sets very high standards. For example, using heavy metals or chlorine treatment (Superwash) during production is not allowed. These strict standards benefit both the environment and your health, as the textile industry can contain not only hormone-disrupting, but also allergy and cancer-causing dyeing agents and chemicals. We think it is safe to assume that very few people want these chemicals to be used in the production of the underwear and clothing – not to mention be discharged into the water supply.
Working conditions
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel sets standards for working conditions throughout the entire production process. Therefore, DILLING is not just responsible for safe, high-quality working conditions for those of our employees working at our head office in Denmark, but also for controlling the working conditions throughout production. As we own much of our own supply chain, we know exactly where our garments are made, in safe working conditions by workers who are paid fair living wages.
Additional certifications
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
To produce clothing, you also need materials such as thread, rubber bands, buttons, etc. It can be challenging to find the right partners that meet our quality standards and adhere to our environmental requirements. We choose with care and look for certificates to guide us. As a minimum, we demand that such materials are Oekotex 100-certified. This standard ensures that there are no harmful chemicals in the final product.
Requirements for suppliers’ certifications
There are some products we cannot produce at our own sewing facilities in Ukraine and Lithuania, such as heavier knitwear and socks. Therefore, we have carefully selected suppliers who meet our high standards for quality and sustainability.
We work closely with suppliers who hold the required certifications. This gives you the assurance that no harmful chemicals have been used during production and that working conditions comply with the standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Our socks are a good example of how our supplier reviews can drive positive change and ensure that our requirements are upheld. Previously, our socks were produced in China, but in 2021, we changed supplier and moved all production to Turkey. As a result, a small number of socks currently available on our website still originate from our previous production in China. Our socks have always been – and continue to be – organically certified.
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