hessnatur, the world's largest natural apparel company, is proud to announce it has been certified as a B Corporation (benefit corporation), for its commitment to the highest social and environmental standards. Adherence to these standards has enabled hessnatur to make a tremendous, positive impact on people around the world who support their supply chain and purchase their products. hessnatur is the first European Union company to be certified.
  
Since its founding in 1976, hessnatur has been devoted to protecting the environment and the people who produce and use its products. As the first to introduce organic cotton apparel to the world and a pioneer in developing all-natural fibers and fiber blends, hessnatur has made a significant, positive impact on the environment. The conventional method of growing and harvesting cotton causes some of the worst environmental pollution of any crop. Although only 2.4% of total cultivated land is planted with cotton, but it account for 25% of the insecticides and 11% of the pesticides use in the world. The use of these chemicals increases the need for irrigation, which depletes the supply of vital drinking water. For people who grow and harvest cotton, these chemicals can cause serious, long-term health disorders. Through the creation of its organic farming projects around the world, hessnatur produces fabrics that are completely pure and natural.
 
In addition to its environmental responsibility, hessnatur was certified in 2005 by the FairWear Foundation for its commitment to ensuring and improving labor conditions throughout its supply chain. Since then, hessnatur has become a leader among the most socially responsible firms in the garment industry, winning the best practices award at the 2010 FairWear Foundation Members' Day. hessnatur has also worked with the Clean Clothes Campaign since 2002, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the working condition in the global garment industry. The CCC is also a governing body of the FWF.
 
hessnatur is also proud to support the Grameen Knitwear in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a non-profit subsidiary of the Grameen Foundation. By introducing workers to organic manufacturing processes, and paying them a 50% bonus over fair purchase price for their output, hessnatur has dramatically improved their health and quality of life. In the US, hessnatur is available exclusively at www.hessnatur.com.
 
About B Corporation
B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between "good companies" and just good marketing; 2) accelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab's GIIRS impact rating system by institutional investors; and 3) promoting supportive public policies, including creation of a new corporate form and tax, procurement, and investment incentives for sustainable business. Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. There are over 300 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace. For more information please visit: http://www.bcorporation.net. 

hessnatur

hessnatur

Founded in 1976, hessnatur was the first to introduce organic cotton apparel to the world, and has been a pioneer in developing all-natural fibers and fiber blends. Through the creation of its organic farming projects around the world, hessnatur produces fabrics that are completely pure and natural. In addition to its commitment to environmental responsibility, hessnatur is certified by the Fair Wear Foundation for its commitment to fair trade, works with the Clean Clothes Campaign to improve working conditions in the global garment industry, and has received the "Ethics in Business" award from the Ethics in Business Initiative for its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

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