Cotton bags mostly carry four certifications, and each measures something different. Organic cotton is about how it is grown, Fairtrade about fair trade, GRS (Global Recycled Standard) about recycled material and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 about harmful substances in the fabric. A bag can also carry more than one.
The certifications side by side
| Certification | What it covers | Example | Price at 100 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic cotton | grown without artificial fertilisers and synthetic pesticides | Organic cotton bag 135 g/m² | € 2,95 |
| Fairtrade | fairer trading terms for cotton farmers | Fairtrade cotton bag 140 g/m² | € 3,04 |
| GRS | share of recycled material, verified through the chain | Recycled shopping bag 180 g/m² | € 2,92 |
| OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 | fabric tested for harmful substances | Shoulder bag Regular 145 g/m² | € 2,11 |
Prices per piece including printing, excluding VAT.
Organic cotton
Organic cotton is grown without artificial fertilisers and synthetic pesticides. The label tells you how the cotton was grown, not the trading terms. See the models at organic cotton bags.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade cotton is traded under fairer terms, so cotton farmers can invest in their businesses and communities. Fairtrade is about trade, not automatically about organic farming. From € 3,04 at 100 pieces.
Custom Fairtrade 140gsm Ecru Tote 38x10x42cm
Item number: A53-LT95233
Colors:
Weight: 90 g
Width - Length: 10cm x 38cm
from € 1,47
Printed Fairtrade Cotton Bag Colored 140gsm 38x10x42cm
Item number: A53-LT95235
Colors:
Weight: 90 g
Width - Length: 10cm x 38cm
from € 1,91
Custom Printed Fairtrade Cotton Shopping Bag Durable Large Wholesale
Item number: A387-1553
Colors:
Weight: 300 g
Material: 100% Fairtrade Katoen
Width - Length: 12cm x 42cm
from € 2,03
GRS: Global Recycled Standard
GRS is an international standard for products with recycled material. It records how much recycled material a product contains and verifies it through the production chain. Because recycled cotton comes from different sources, the colour can vary slightly per bag. See recycled cotton bags.
Custom Recycled Cotton Shopping Bag ShoppyBag 180gsm GRS 8 Liter
Item number: A24-265048
Colors:
Weight: 90 g
Material: Gerecycled katoen
from € 1,31
Custom Printed GRS Recycled Canvas Shopping Bag 260gsm
Item number: A24-264136
Colors:
Weight: 130 g
Material: Gerecycled canvas
Width - Length: 10cm x 38cm
from € 2,87
Giant GRS Recycled Shopper Bag Custom Print 35L Cotton Blend
Item number: A24-264963
Colors:
Weight: 325 g
Material: Gerecycled katoen, Gerecycled polyester
Width - Length: 15cm x 55cm
from € 3,02
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
With OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 the fabric has been tested for harmful substances. It says nothing about organic farming or recycled material.
Custom Cotton Shoulder Bag OEKO-TEX Regular 145g
Item number: A387-1900
Colors:
Weight: 145 g
Material: 100% Katoen OEKO-TEX®
from € 0,58
Printed Cotton Tote OEKO-TEX 140gsm 38x10x42cm
Item number: A53-LT95382
Colors:
Weight: 100 g
Width - Length: 10cm x 38cm
from € 1,11
Custom Printed Canvas Shopping Bag OEKO-TEX 280gsm 42x12x43cm
Item number: A53-LT95163
Colors:
Weight: 162 g
Width - Length: 12cm x 42cm
from € 2,28
Can a bag carry more than one certification?
Yes. The FREIBURG, for example, is made of recycled cotton and polyester fibres according to the Global Recycled Standard and is OEKO-TEX® tested. Each product page shows its certifications. Looking for a specific certification not listed here? Just ask us.
Read more and order
- Custom printed organic cotton bags
- Custom printed recycled cotton bags
- Cotton bag fabric weight explained
- Cotton, canvas or jute: the differences
Frequently asked questions about certifications
What is the difference between organic and Fairtrade?
Organic is about how the cotton is grown: without artificial fertilisers and synthetic pesticides. Fairtrade is about fair trade and better terms for cotton farmers.
What does GRS mean?
GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard. It records how much recycled material a product contains and verifies it through the production chain.
What does OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 mean?
That the fabric has been tested for harmful substances. It says nothing about organic farming or recycled material.
Which certification is the most sustainable?
Each measures something different. Choose organic or recycled to show where the material comes from, Fairtrade for fair trade and OEKO-TEX® for certainty about harmful substances.
