GECA
External third party auditing of our supply chain, product and organisational practices is vital for our accountability to our customers. Having third party assessment on all levels encourages us to reduce our emissions each year and improve our business practices.
Greenwashing is a significant problem within the industry given the rising popularity of sustainability. Being third party certified on our entire range of fabrics shows our commitment to full transparency and ongoing sustainability.
For over 20 years, sustainability has been at the core of our business and will continue to be our priority.
GECA CERTIFICATION
In 2004, as we began our journey to improve our sustainability we searched for a standard that was independent and transparent, recognised globally, objective and not for profit.
On the 20th May 2005 Sustainable was added to Living Fabrics Pty Ltd, reflecting the end of a challenging journey under the Australian Ecolabel program (AELA) from fibre production to finished product. SLF was the first company to offer fabrics with this label and the only company to offer its entire range of fabrics as certified environmentally preferable.
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Today we are third party audited by Bureau Veritas and licensed to carry Australia’s ISO 14024 Type1ecolabel. Our GECA Textiles and Leather TLv3.0-2014 standard certified products help Architects, Brands and Company Clients meet their sustainability targets and contribute to a variety of industry certifications, and responsible sourcing program requirements.
GECA's criteria is stringent and encompasses our entire supply chain from wool, yarns, manufacturing to packaging. This extends to our partner mill and dye house, ensuring all dyes and chemicals meet their Textiles & Leather Standard.
Being Australian made is important to us, it enables us to stay connected to our supply chain and hold close relationships with our suppliers. This ensures we all have the same environmental priorities when collaborating, to create our truly sustainable product line.
Our GECA certification strengthens this relationship and gives us the opportunity to re-assess and improve our practices as the landscape of sustainable design evolves.
GECA certified Furniture, Fittings and Foam upholstered with GECA licenced fabrics are recognised in the Green Building Council of Australia’s GREEN STAR FITOUTS sustainability raiting program as level A, and are eligible for an RPV score of 16.
If you’re interested in learning more, click here to request a copy of the full GECA Textiles & Leather Standard (TLv3.0i-2014).
For a copy of our GECA certificate click here.
CARBON NEUTRAL
In 2010 our existing Greenhouse Friendly Initiative certification, developed by the Australian Government, became the NCOS Carbon Neutral Program adminiatered by the Australain Carbon Trust, which later became Climate Active. SLF were the first Australian company and entire product range to be certified carbon neutral under this program.
Our in house practices, such as transport, electricity, printing, recycling and warehouse distribution are assessed, along with product manufacturing processes from the sheep, greasy wool, scouring, yarn processing, weaving, dying and finishing to transport.
We continue to recertify our company and product to achieve carbon neutral status, every metre of fabric's emissions are carbon offset to lessen our negative impact on the environment, ensuring a lower operational and upfront carbon supply chain to manage carbon impacts across the fitout lifecycle.
UN GLOBAL COMPANT GOALS
Sustainable Living Fabrics has been proudly committed to the UN Global Compact goals since March 2008 when we produced our first Sustainability Report to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines. Our commitment to aligning our business practices with the UN Sustainable Development goals is one of the cornerstones of our sustainability journey.
Sustainable Living Fabrics’ corporate strategy is driven by a proactive sustainability agenda that is more than just an environmental agenda. It is about social responsibility and it is legitimate, transparent and credible. We embrace independently audited and certified environmental credentials as key criteria for true sustainability.
GREENSTAR
Launched by the Green Building Council of Australia in 2003, Green Star is Australia’s only national, voluntary rating system for buildings and communities. Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system for sustainability.
To achieve Level A within the GBCA’s Green Star Sustainability Rating Program, designers must specify our GECA Certified fabrics on GECA Certified Furniture, Fittings and Foam. While our fabrics help contribute to achieving Green Star points, our fabrics do not achieve points on their own.
Points may be awarded to finished furniture upholstered in a sustainable fabric.
For more information on the Green Star rating system click here.
