What does that mean? A glossary of terms and third party certifications
Posted by River & Trail on 2025 May 20th
We do our best to be intentional about the brands we choose to sell at River & Trail Outdoor Co. Majority of the brands we carry have third-party certifications that ensure they are meeting environmental, social and welfare standards. These third-party certifications are how the brands remain accountable to their promises and help us in making the most informed choice possible.
Below is a glossary of terms and certifications you will see on labels in our store.
- 1% for the Planet
- ASTM Standard
- Bluesign
- Certified B Corporation
- Climate Neutral Certified/The Climate Label
- EN/ISO
- Fair Trade Certified Factory
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- Global Traceable Down Standard (TDS)
- OEKO-TEX
- Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
- UPF
- ZQ Merino Fibre
1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet. 1% for the Planet members commit to donating at least 1% of annual sales directly to environmental organizations, and then 1% for the Planet certify every donation to ensure businesses meet that commitment.
https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/about/mission
ASTM F3340-18 R-Value Standard
The ASTM F3340-18 is a standard methodology for rating the insulative properties of sleeping pads. This allows for fair and consistent comparison among sleeping pad R-Value ratings.
https://store.astm.org/f3340-22.html
Bluesign
Bluesign is a certification system for companies to ensure the textile industry minimizes their impact. Every item carrying a bluesign Product or bluesign Approved label has been manufactured to strict safety and environmental requirements known as the bluesign Criteria. We have a whole blog dedicated to Bluesign.
Certified B Corporation
When a business is a Certified B Corporation, it means they meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability. They also must demonstrate a commitment to using business as a force for good. The certification is through the non-profit organization B Lab.
https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/
Climate Neutral Certified or The Climate Label Certified
The Climate Label Certified replaces Climate Neutral Certified, but you will likely still see Climate Neutral Certified on past season items. The Climate Label is a certification for companies that put a price on their carbon emissions. All certified companies must meet the same high standard for climate accountability by adopting a standardized carbon fee and actively funding projects that reduce emissions.
https://www.changeclimate.org/what-it-means
EN/ISO
The most up to date testing protocal for certified sleeping bags to determine their comfort and limit temperature ratings.
https://www.iso.org/standard/82789.html
Fair Trade Certified Factory
Fair Trade Certification ensures that products are made and traded in a way that supports the economic, social, and environmental well-being of the producers and workers involved in their production. It guarantees that farmers and workers in developing countries receive a fair price for their goods, have decent working conditions, and are empowered to make decisions about their futures.
https://www.fairtradecertified.org/what-we-do/what-we-certify/
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification ensures that a product comes from responsibly managed forests, meeting strict environmental, social, and economic standards. It provides assurance to consumers that the wood and paper products they buy are sourced sustainably and meet international guidelines.
https://ca.fsc.org/ca-en/what-is-fsc
Global Traceable Down Standard (TDS)
Originally developed by Patagonia, the Global Traceable Down Standard focuses on compliance with local legal animal welfare regulations and aims to ensure that down does not come from farms that engage in force-feeding or live plucking. It is exclusively certified by US-based NSF International.
https://www.textilestandards.com/standards/105-global-traceable-down
OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX® certification ensures that textiles and leather products are tested for harmful substances, making them safe for human use and the environment. It's a globally recognized standard, with different certifications focusing on various aspects of the textile and leather supply chain, from raw materials to finished products.
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
The Responsible Wool Standard aims to improve the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on. The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a voluntary standard that requires all sites, from wool farms to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction, to be certified. RWS farmers and ranchers are evaluated against animal welfare, land management, and social requirements set in the standard.
UPF
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is a rating system which indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin. For example, UPF 50+ means that only up to 1/50th or 2% of ultraviolet radiation is able to penetrate the fabric, which has been tested.
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/
ZQ Merino Fibre
ZQ Merino Wool is a certification standard for merino wool that prioritizes animal welfare, environmental sustainability, fiber quality, traceability, and social responsibility. It ensures that merino wool is sourced from farms that adhere to high ethical standards, offering a premium fiber for various applications.