Unified Sustainable Textile Standard Announced

In December 2004, the nonprofit Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability approved version 2.0 of the Unified Sustainable Textile Standard, designed “to provide a market-based definition for sustainable textile, establish performance requirements for public health and environment, and address the triple bottom line (economic, environmental, and social) throughout the supply chain.” The voluntary certification process applies to carpet, fabric, and apparel. Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) is listed as the third-party certifier for this standard, but a contact at SCS indicated that they have not assumed that role. The standard can be downloaded from www.mts.sustainableproducts.com/standards.htm.