IVN is an association of over 100 companies from all stages of leather and textile production that have the responsibility of ecological and socially responsible production. Environmental awareness and ecology in relation to textile production are the topics on which iVN has always focused its attention, without obviously neglecting the social responsibility of companies towards workers and stakeholders and the health of consumers and those involved in production. For this last aspect, iVN supports the need to choose first of all natural and organic textile fibers and the use of substances compatible with human health in all other phases of the production chain.
The NATURTEXTIL IVN certified BEST quality standard, known primarily in Europe, currently defines the highest level of textile sustainability by applying the maximum currently achievable parameters to production and the product.
Companies that want to obtain this certification will have to reach high quality standards such as:
-environmental awareness and protection. Companies that want to implement sustainable production will need to establish a document that includes provisions for minimizing and monitoring waste production and environmental impact, as well as emergency plans for waste or other polluting material, documentation of staff training on the issues of optimizing water and energy consumption and the optimal use of chemicals and their appropriate disposal, as well as programs to improve operating procedures on these issues.
-the use of natural and organic textile fibres. This is a central issue for iVN which issues the certification only if the textile surface (which does not include zippers, inlays, linings and buttons) is made of 100% natural fibres from certified organic agriculture or certified organic farming. Synthetic fibres are accepted only for certain accessories.
-the prohibition of the use of substances harmful to health. For BEST certified fabrics, all hazardous substances are strictly prohibited at every stage of the process. BEST categorically prohibits the use of substances classified as carcinogenic, harmful to the genetic makeup, substances that impair fertility. These include a certain number of organic compounds that use chromium, bromide, chlorine or fluoride that are not easily biodegradable and that tend to accumulate in the human body, for example in the blood, adipose tissue or breast milk and may be carcinogenic.
-exclusive use of natural substances in yarn processing and weaving. For spinning, only the mechanical method is permitted, i.e. combing the yarn, a more environmentally friendly process, and substances derived from natural raw materials such as paraffin and paraffin oils and only if absolutely necessary. In weaving, however, only smoothing agents such as starches, starch derivatives and natural substances are permitted. To produce fleece, only mechanical processes such as compacting, felting and punchneedle are permitted. For cleaning, only enzymatic substances can be used and for bleaching only oxygen (no chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, caustic soda or surfactants)
-ban on heavy metals and azo dyes for colorings, while for prints only water-based and natural oil-based ones are allowed.
-in the creation of the garment, synthetic PES sewing thread is allowed to ensure greater longevity to the article but it must be covered with cotton. Embroidery threads, applications, pockets, labels must be in pure natural fibers while elastic bands and finishing laces can be in synthetic materials to maintain elasticity. Buttons and snaps can be in natural materials or in metal, the latter free of nickel and chromium.
-consumer health. BEST requires that certified fabrics undergo laboratory testing for chemical residues in the finished product. The tests define whether hazardous substances can be released onto the consumer's skin through friction (rubbing) or sweating. The parameters for these tests are significantly more stringent than those required by law, thus providing an additional guarantee for consumers. The BEST standard also defines the quality parameters that must be met by the finished garment: colour fastness to rubbing, sweat, light, shrinkage, washing resistance and, of primary importance for baby clothes, resistance to saliva.
-Social responsibility. All manufacturers are required by the BEST standard to maintain predefined social standards assessed locally in the production plants. These standards are based on parameters formulated by the International Labour Organization (ILO): no forced or slave labor, freedom of assembly, right to negotiate wages, safe and hygienic workplaces, no child labor, living wages that cover the cost of living, no excessive overtime, no discrimination, a regular work contract, no rude or inhuman treatment.
