Fair Trade - an ecological and social challenge

The principle of fair trade is no longer confined to the food sector. The world of fashion, and more specifically the textile industry, is now taking inspiration from this practice to offer products that combine quality with social responsibility. Textile products are increasingly associated with labels for fair trade.

What is fair trade?

Social and environmental issues are central to fair trade.

One aim is to establish a commercial partnership based on transparency and respect between the buyer and the producer. This involves shorter supply chains and fair pay for workers with a view to improving their living conditions.

At the same time, fair trade takes account of environmental issues. It says goodbye to intensive production and favours techniques that preserve biodiversity.

In other words, fair trade is an approach to business based on human values and production methods that respect the environment.

For workers

The difficult working conditions faced by many textile workers deserve attention: excessively long hours, pay below a living wage and exposure to chemicals can leave workers in lasting hardship.

Child labour is another serious concern in the textile industry.

It is a mistake to assume that labour exploitation in textile factories occurs only in poorer countries. Such practices have also been reported in countries such as Canada and England.

How can we make more responsible purchasing choices without contributing to labour exploitation? Fair trade labels and initiatives can help guide these decisions.

For the planet

The textile industry has a substantial environmental footprint, with emissions estimated at more than 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 a year. It also consumes large amounts of water, a natural resource that is precious and increasingly scarce. For example, growing the cotton used in a pair of jeans and bringing them to shops in France is estimated to require around 11,000 litres of water.

In addition, the degradation of water caused by excessive use of chemicals is not to be overlooked. Added to this is the pollution caused by the garment itself, releasing plastic micro-particles into the wastewater each time it is washed.

Finally, bearing in mind that a garment can travel up to 65,000 km during its manufacturing process, we can only imagine the ecological impact of transporting it.

With its environmental focus, fair trade aims to minimise these negative repercussions.

Fair trade labels

• Global Organic Textile Standard : highlights the use of fabrics that meet environmental criteria, while also considering the working conditions of producers and workers.
• Fair Wear Foundation : focuses on improving the working conditions of workers in textile factories in developing countries.
• Max Havelaar / Fairtrade : focuses on improving the living conditions and working conditions of producers. It also emphasises the non-use of toxic products.
• Ethical Trading Initiative : brings together companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations to promote workers’ rights and lawful working conditions.
• World Fair Trade Organization : works to address unfairness in conventional trade and support small producers in improving their living conditions.

SubliSport: Synonymous with Quality, Ethics and Proximity

At SubliSport, our commitment to fair trade is reflected in our ethical manufacturing approach in Portugal and Bulgaria. We aim to:

• Ensuring ethical working conditions: Our factories in Portugal and Bulgaria are selected for their strict compliance with ethical standards, guaranteeing fair and safe working conditions for all employees.
• Promote a short supply chain: By choosing to produce in Europe, we are favouring a short supply chain that not only reduces our carbon footprint, but also encourages greater responsiveness and flexibility in production.
• Support local economies: By working with local factories, we contribute to the economic development of these regions, supporting local employment and skills.

Our vision at SubliSport goes beyond producing sportswear. We aim to build strong relationships with our partners based on trust and mutual respect, while offering high-quality, responsibly produced and durable products. Choosing SubliSport means choosing a brand that places ethics, quality and environmental responsibility at the heart of its identity.