TL;DR
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GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard):
Certifies latex made from organically grown natural rubber, with at least 95% natural content, no pesticides or harmful fillers, and low VOCs.
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GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard):
Requires 95% organic fibres for certified organic, or 70% for 'made with organic materials', grown without synthetic pesticides or GMOs.
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STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX:
Confirms every component of a textile, including threads and buttons, has been tested for harmful substances.
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PEFC:
Endorses sustainably managed forests and tracks certified timber from forest to finished product.
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NHLA (National Hardwood Lumber Association):
Verifies that American hardwood is sourced from sustainably managed forests where growth outpaces harvest, qualifying as low risk under both FSC and PEFC standards.
Sustainable Certifications You Should Know About
The world of online & IRL shopping has become an ethical minefield, whether it’s the material being used, the labour that produces the product, the carbon footprint, or the corporation itself. So it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed and helpless in our search for sustainable products!
But we shouldn’t be deprived of the joys of retail therapy; instead, we’ve gathered the top certifications to look out for when perusing brands. These include some of the certifications we have within our product range, as well as others that give you peace of mind. Organic, ethical, fair trade - you name it, we’ve uncovered it. Never fear the shops again with this handy low tox guide in your pocket.
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
GOLS is a globally recognised sustainable latex certification and standard for products made from organically grown, natural rubber latex. This pure form of latex doesn’t come with harmful fillers and there’s no pesticides in sight. On top of that, GOLS certified latex is guaranteed to be made with at least 95% natural materials.
Certified Organic latex is what we use in our latex mattresses & pillows, and is derived from the sap of organically grown rubber trees. In addition to keeping you safe from toxins in fertilisers or pesticides, the organic farming associated with the GOLS standard helps support the environment and the health of the workers.
What Benefits Come From GOLS Certified?
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A low level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present. VOCs are carbon-based chemicals used during production that easily evaporate at room temperature.
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These are present in a huge range of products and the VOCs emitted via off-gassing is what can be attributed to the smell of fresh paint, a new car or new furniture.
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High levels of VOCs can contribute to headaches, itchy eyes and allergy-like symptoms, nausea, and respiratory issues, with some products off-gassing long after a production.
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With mattresses in particular being a long-term investment, this certification ensures the only side effect of your organic mattress is a good night’s sleep.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has a strict set of criteria that manufacturers must adhere to, making it a safe ‘seal of approval’ for customers. There are two GOTS label-grades: the ‘Certified Organic’ label,which requires a minimum of 95% organic fibres, and the 'made with organic materials' label, which demands no less than 70% organic fibres.
What Does it Mean When Items are GOTS Certified?
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Under the GOTS certification, organic fibres are naturally grown without any synthetic pesticides, herbicides or GMOs (Genetic Modified Organisms).
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By sticking to the criteria laid out by GOTS, brands not only give you reassurance when shopping for organic clothing, organic pillows, or organic bedding - they also help sustain the health of our environment, soil, and people creating your products.
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All dimensions of production are ethical, with this in mind; from fibres holistically grown without synthetic pesticides, limited use of water resource expenditure, harmful chemicals, to fair treatment of worker rights and OHS.
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By comparison, synthetic mattress materials like memory foam and polyfoam tend to get hot very quickly, are often manufactured with toxic chemicals, and undergo harsh chemical treatments. When companies like ours carry products with the GOTS tick of approval, it signifies that every material, ecological, and social factor has been assessed and protected, making your purchase feel even better.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX is one of the world's best-known labels for textiles that have been tested for harmful substances. If a textile product carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be sure that every component - that means every thread, button and accessory - has been tested for toxins in order to be deemed safe for human health.
In the test, independent examiners consider numerous substances that could pose a risk to your health, not to mention the fact they update their criteria at least once a year to incorporate all new regulatory and scientific requirements. By opting for brands that carry the STANDARD 100 seal, you’ll shop easy, knowing whatever you buy has been thoroughly checked out before making its way to your home.
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
PEFC is a body that endorses sustainable forest management, and it’s one our Tasmanian oak suppliers carry for our natural bed frames and furnishings. Research shows deforestation is the world’s second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. And while there’s more than fifty certification programs worldwide, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification is one of our favourites.
There a number of standards that certified businesses need to comply with, and are vital for the sustainable management of a forest. These standards cover everything from forest owner practices to economic, social, environmental and cultural criteria that support the management of forests for products and services. As part of becoming (and staying) certified, there’s also a process for tracking certified materials from the sustainably managed forest to the final product.
Note:
At TNBC, for example, the Tasmanian Oak wood we use in our natural wooden bed frames & furniture is 100% PEFC, with logs harvested from an area of regrowth forest that has been sustainably managed by a family owned & operated sawmill company for many years. This in itself represents an important part of the local economy, employing many local people in all aspects of the forestry, production, sales and distribution process.
National Hardwood Lumber Association Sustainability Verification (NHLA)
The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) issues a Sustainability Verification Certificate (SVC) to businesses that meet its standards for responsibly sourced American hardwood. The certificate confirms timber has been harvested from forests where growth consistently outpaces demand.
On a global scale, American hardwoods verified under the NHLA qualify as low risk across all five FSC controlled wood categories and meet PEFC Chain of Custody standards for non-controversial sourcing. That means the timber carries internationally recognised sustainability credentials, not just a domestic tick of approval.
Under this verification, every step from forest management to finished product is accounted for: regeneration, biodiversity, stewardship and responsible harvesting.
At TNBC, the Oak in our natural wooden bed frames & furniture is sourced from the US and carries the NHLA Sustainability Verification Certificate, adhering to both FSC and PEFC standards. When you invest in one of our bed frames, rest easy knowing your timber came from a forest that's being looked after for the long haul.
A reassuring shop
We’ve come a long way in making our retail purchases more sustainable. But of course, we still have a way to go - and as individuals, voting with our wallets is one of the biggest statements we can make. So look for the brands making the effort, getting certified, and producing items that look after your health, their worker’s health, and the health of our planet.
To shop TNBC certified products, click here.
FAQ's
What are VOCs and why do they matter in bedding and furniture?
VOCs are volatile organic compounds, carbon-based chemicals used in production that evaporate easily at room temperature. They're what you're smelling with fresh paint, a new car or new furniture, and the process is called off-gassing. High levels can contribute to headaches, itchy eyes, allergy-like symptoms, nausea and respiratory issues, and some products keep releasing them long after they've left the factory. Given a mattress is something you spend eight hours a night breathing next to, it's worth knowing what's in yours.
How can you spot greenwashing?
Look for the certification, not the adjective. Words like natural, eco, green and pure aren't regulated, so anybody can print them on a swing tag without having earned a thing. A real certification comes with a named standard, an independent certifying body and usually a licence number you can go and check. Be wary of vague claims with no percentage attached, and of brands that spotlight one sustainable material while staying quiet about everything else. If a brand can't tell you where something came from, that's your answer.
Which certifications should a natural mattress have?
For the latex itself, look for GOLS, which guarantees at least 95% natural rubber content. For the cover and any fabric, GOTS is the one that matters. STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX sits across both, confirming the materials have been tested for substances harmful to human health. If the bed frame is timber, PEFC tells you the wood came from a sustainably managed forest. Our organic latex carries both GOLS and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, and our Oak frames are NHLA certified.
