Certifications
At LETE, we've gone to great lengths to research our manufacturing partners and ensure that our supply chain carries the following certifications. This helps to keep our supply chain - as well as us! - accountable to maintaining ethical and sustainable standards that reflect our core values as a company. Transparency is important to us, so that you, the consumer, can make an informed choice for yourself and the planet.
FSC- Forest Stewardship Council
This certification represents LETE’s commitment to responsible forestry in the production and supply of our garments.
The Forest Stewardship Council’s certification indicates responsible forestry, meaning that there was no natural habitat loss or destruction in the making of your LETE garments. Not only that, but the bamboo used to create LETE products comes from FSC-certified forests that follow their best-defined practices in both the production and supply of garments. Our company’s views are in complete alignment with the FSC’s pledge to create a direct, permanent, positive impact on the world’s forests, as well as the people, plants and animals living in and around them.
OEKO-TEX - standard 100
The OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label tells you that there are absolutely zero harmful substances in every single component of LETE garments, which will keep your skin irritation-free.
Good news for your skin! The OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label means that every component of our garments - every button, thread and zip - has been tested for harmful substances, such as toxic chemicals, AZO colourants, cadmium and lead, and is absolutely harmless to your health. One of the better known Ethical Fashion Certifications, OEKO-TEX is an internationally recognised body with an extensive criteria catalog that goes above and beyond national and international requirements. Not only that, but OEKO-TEX updates their catalog at least once a year to account for the latest scientific knowledge. Your skin will stay happy and irritation-free, so that you can get on with the good things in life!
BSCI
LETE’s commitment to upholding BSCI’s Code of Conduct means that the working conditions and rights for workers are of the utmost importance to us at every step of the supply chain.
The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) isn’t a certification, but it’s just as important to us as everything else on this page. BSCI is a program that aims to improve the working conditions and protect workers’ rights for the suppliers of its participating member companies, such as International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and declarations, and United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. At LETE, we share in the values of the BSCI’s Code of Conduct and we are committed to upholding them within our supply chain. BSCI’s 11 core labour rights include:
- Rights of Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
- Fair Renumeration
- Occupational Healthy and Safety
- Special Protection for Young Workers
- No Bonded Labour
- Ethical Business Behaviour
- No Discrimination
- Decent Work Hours
- No Child Labour
- No Precarious Employment
- Protection of the Environment
SGS
SGS performs a wide range of independent tests and inspections on LETE products and garments, ensuring that they meet the health, safety and regulatory standards of the country in which they are sold.
SGS (formerly known as the Société Générale de Surveillance - but don’t worry, this isn’t an organisation of secret spies…though, wouldn’t that be kinda cool?) is the world’s leading inspection, testing, verification and certification company. SGS staff help to ensure that our products meet the health, safety and regulatory standards in each country that LETE is sold by performing a range of independent tests on our garments. This means that the quality and integrity of our products is held to the highest of international standards.
GOTS
This certification indicates that a globally recognised standard of requirements have been met to ensure the certified organic status of our textile and manufacturing partners.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) provides a standard of requirements to be met throughout the supply chain in textile and apparel manufacturing of organic materials. This relates both to the ecological and labour conditions, as well as welfare standards for animal husbandry, and is based on a farming system that maintains and revitalises soil fertility without toxic or synthetic fertilisers. The GOTS covers the chain of supply all the way from the harvesting of raw fibre, to socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing, to labelling, so that our customers can be assured of this ethical standard throughout the entire process of the creation of the yarn LETE uses.
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 demonstrates LETE’s commitment to following an internationally agreed-upon environmental management framework that helps us contribute to the pillars of sustainability and minimise our environmental impact.
ISO 14001 offers an internationally agreed-upon environmental management framework for companies and organisations to follow. This helps to ensure that our environmental impact is being measured and improved upon continually, so that we can contribute to the pillars of sustainability - environmental, social and economic. Holding a membership of 165 national standards bodies, ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) is an independent, non-governmental organisation that brings together experts with the aim of sharing knowledge and developing consensus-based, market-relevant International Standards that provide innovative solutions to global challenges. The outcomes of their environmental management system include enhancement of environmental performance, fulfilment of compliance obligations, and achievement of environmental objectives.
ISO 9001
The ISO 9001 certification demonstrates LETE’s commitment to quality control, ensuring that our customers get consistently good service and products.
There are over one million companies and organisations in more than 170 countries certified to ISO 9001, and we’re pleased to say this is a family we’re a part of. ISO 9001 lays out a criteria for a quality management system that includes principles such as strong customer focus, motivation and implication of top management, and continual improvement. For you, our customer, this certification helps to ensure that you get consistently good quality products and services.
PETA Vegan
The PETA Vegan Approved label tells you that our products are 100% vegan in both production and fabrication.
At LETE, we’re animal lovers too. That’s why we’re proud that all of our products are Vegan Approved and certified by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s leading animal rights organisation. This means that absolutely no animals or animal products are used in the production of our garments. Additionally, the bamboo used to create our garments (Tanboocel) is not the same bamboo that pandas eat. So not only are LETE products 100% vegan, but we’re not letting our cute furry friends go hungry in the meantime.
Tanboocel
Tanboocel is the environmentally friendly bamboo fabric primarily used in LETE garments, known for its breathability, durability, UV-restistance and antimicrobial properties. Tanboocel manufacturers are committed to the closed loop process of garment production, meaning that no chemicals escape into the environment or atmosphere during the manufacturing process, making it a sustainable choice with minimum impact on the planet.
LETE garments are primarily made from Tanboocel, a sustainable fibre created from raw bamboo pulp. Because it is a natural, untreated cellulose, Tanboocel is completely biodegradable and doesn’t contribute any pollution to the environment in the process, making it one of the eco-friendliest fabrics going around. Tanboocel also gets full marks for sustainability; bamboo can grow up to three feet per day, drinks much less water than other fibres, and doesn’t need to be treated with pesticides. Even better news? Tanboocel is a durable and antimicrobial fibre, meaning that no matter how many times you wash it, it’ll still help to repel those germs. This is all thanks to a natural, bacteriostatic component in the bamboo plant called kun, which makes the fibre resistant to bacterial and fungal growth. Tanboocel has a higher density compared to other viscose from bamboo fabrics, giving it stronger anti-bacterial properties than its competitors. Bamboo fabrics are also known for their deodorising properties due to their strong breathability and moisture absorption capabilities, making them the perfect choice for your activewear. Lastly, Tanboocel is highly UV-resistant, keeping your skin safe while you’re enjoying the great outdoors.
Tanboocel manufacturers are committed to sustainability and a recyclable process of garment production that’s friendly towards the environment. Did you know that it’s not currently possible to manufacture clothing without the use of any chemicals? Yep, it’s a bummer. To combat this, Tanboocel production operates on a closed loop process that keeps the environment safe. So, what does that mean? The main chemical used during Tanboocel manufacturing is sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda or CS2), which is approved for textile use under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). During the manufacturing process for Tanboocel, a hermetic container traps and contains 100% of the chemicals that are used. This means that no chemicals or hazardous substances are released into the factory, atmosphere or environment, keeping both you and the planet safe.
Tanboocel has also passed OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 checks for harmful substances, and the bamboo used is certified by the OCIA, meaning the bamboo is organic and comes from organic, pesticide-free farms. We used plant-based dyes for all of our clothes, so there’s no harmful dye or ink in any of our fabric.