Chapter 5 — full chapter
5.1.1 Compare materials against function, lifetime and impact priorities
Material selection is a high-leverage upstream decision, but no fibre is inherently sustainable in every context. SMEs should compare candidate materials against the same function and expected lifetime, considering climate, water, land, toxicity, biodiversity, durability, care, recycled-content quality, traceability and realistic end-of-life pathways. Prefer primary supplier data where available, document assumptions and uncertainty, and avoid treating a single score or certification as proof of overall superiority.
Key actions
- Prioritize recycled, renewable, or regenerative fibers, safer chemistry.
- Request certifications and environmental data from suppliers.
- Reduce complex fiber blends where possible.
- Compare materials using LCA or sustainability databases.
CORE REFERENCES: Textile Exchange, Materials Market Report 2025: https://textileexchange.org/knowledge-center/reports/materials-market-report-2025/; European Environment Agency, Circular design and sustainable production: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/europe-environment-2025/thematic-briefings/circular-economy-and-other-enablers-of-transformative-change/circular-design-and-sustainable-production
IMPACT NOTE: Compare materials and products using an explicit functional unit, system boundary, data year, geography and uncertainty range. The European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for apparel and footwear provide an emerging common life-cycle method, but they do not make every environmental claim complete: microplastic shedding and biodiversity remain areas for further refinement. Reference: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-measuring-environmental-impact-clothes-and-shoes-2025-06-25_en