Fairtrade (FLOCERT) is a globally recognised system for fair trade practices.

Fairtrade standards for cotton supply chains

• Audited compliance with trading standards
• Structured systems supporting worker welfare

Our manufacturing partner is certified under FLOCERT (FLO ID 48151) and complies with Fairtrade standards for cotton.

Fair Trade USA is a certification focused on factory-level compliance with Fair Trade standards.

This certification covers:

• Factory working conditions
• Social compliance systems
• Eligibility to produce under Fair Trade frameworks

Our manufacturing partner is certified under Fair Trade USA standards and authorised to manufacture products accordingly.

Fabstract is Fairtrade USA and Fairtrade International certified. Fairtrade premiums are governed by worker-led committees and distributed through direct bonuses and long-term welfare investments including household appliances, energy back-up solutions, water purification systems, healthcare, and skill development.

Workers are paid living wages approximately 25% higher than local minimum wage benchmarks.

Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically intensive crops on the planet, accounting for roughly 16% of the world's insecticides despite covering just 2.5% of its farmland.

Our cotton is different.

It's grown by 475 small-scale farmers in Rajkot, Gujarat, without synthetic pesticides, without GMOs, and without compromise. Every season their crop is independently tested for 186 pesticide residues and six GMO markers. Every result: not detected.

That's not a marketing promise, those are lab reports we hold on file. Because when something touches your skin all day, every day, you deserve to know exactly what went into making it.

GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard, is widely considered the most rigorous certification in the textile industry, and for good reason. It doesn't just look at the cotton in the field. It follows the fibre through every single stage of production: spinning, knitting, dyeing, finishing, and final garment manufacturing.

Each step is independently audited, and each step has to meet strict environmental and social criteria before the next one can be certified. That means no toxic dyes, no harmful finishing chemicals, and no shortcuts buried halfway down the supply chain where no one's looking.

Every STAPLE Co garment is certified to GOTS Version 7.0 and/or Regenerative Organic Certified (GOTS and more!)

Every finished STAPLE Co garment is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified at Product Class I, the highest level of the standard, and the one required for baby products.

What that means in practice is that every component of our garments, from the outer fabric to the stitching thread and the label against your neck, has been independently tested against more than 100 harmful substances including pesticide residues, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and toxic dyes. Nothing is assumed safe. Everything is tested.

Product Class I is the strictest benchmark because babies put everything in their mouths - if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for you.

STAPLE Co is currently transitioning our cotton sourcing toward Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) principles - a standard that goes beyond organic to actively restore the land it's grown on. Where conventional organic farming focuses on what you don't do to the soil, regenerative agriculture asks what you can put back - rebuilding soil health, increasing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and strengthening the farming communities that depend on the land.

Our supply chain partners are already working within the ROC framework, and as that transition matures you'll start to see it reflected in our range. We're not there yet, and we won't say we are until we can prove it (our full certification is being processed), but we're on our way and we think it's the most exciting direction we could be heading.

Our partner factory (Fabstract) is solar power assisted, reducing the use of CO2 during production. 

• Solar Panels supplying close to 45-50% of current energy requirements
• Half of the energy used comes from solar power and the rest from non-polluting natural gas.
• They also have a large battery so that during power cuts they aren't reliant on diesel generators. 

Some of the sustainability initiatives used by our partnering factory include:

• High Albedo Finish Thermotech Tiles on Factory Terrace to block heat and keep factory cooler (6-8 degree Celsius cooler).
• Energy Efficient: Void between two panes prevents heat from passing through and hence maintains an ambient indoor temperature during hot summer months.
• Reduction in Noise Pollution: Air insulation between two panes help limit the amount of noise.
• Less UV Rays: Reduction of UV rays resulting in non-fading internal materials.
• Latest CAD software to make sure there is minimal waste when cutting garments.
• 100% Water Recycling
• Asia's Number 1 Effluent Treatment Plant.
• Rain Water Harvesting Pits to recharge ground water.
• Rain Water Collecting Pipeline on Third Floor
• Reverse Osmosis Plant for Water Purification

One hundred percent of water used at our partnering factory is processed and recycled through either a reserve osmosis process or at the Effluent Treatment Plant onsite.There is also a rainwater harvesting system that recharges groundwater.

• 100% Water Recycling
• Asia's Number 1 Effluent Treatment Plant.
• Rain Water Harvesting Pits to recharge ground water.
• Rain Water Collecting Pipeline on Third Floor
• Reverse Osmosis Plant for Water Purification

We use compostable and biodegradable bags made from corn to keep your clothing safe and sound at our warehouse.

All mailers are either recycled paper or compostable and biodegradable bags.

We package all orders from our HQ in Perth, Western Australia. Australia Post delivers your goodies via standard or express (when needed!)

We do not offer returns to International customers (except NZ) as we are very aware of the environmental implications to too much travel.

Our main partner is Fabstract Clothing in India. We work closely with Mihir and his team to create well designed and premium clothing that will last.

We also stock a small collection of clothing from Earth Positive and Stanley Stella.

Farms (Tier 1) 
Vasudha Swaraj Pvt Ltd in Rajkot, Gujarat, holds a ROC Bronze certificate (cert ROC0221-0747, issued June 2025) covering 8,638 acres across their farmer cooperative, with cotton as a certified crop. Their ROA license (ROA-000397) was issued August 2025 for 100% ROC lint cotton.

Vasudha Swaraj is Pratibha Syntex's own farming initiative - a holistic approach bringing together 20,000 farmers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, growing non-GMO seeds and organic cotton.

Pratibha/Vasudha has been associated with Fairtrade since 2008. The Fairtrade premium earned on each harvest is directed towards community development and welfare initiatives. They've also received recognition from the Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers (NAPP).

Spinning / fabric (Tier 2–3)
Pratibha Syntex Limited in Pithampur, MP, holds GOTS (license GOTS-20201314) and two ROA licenses: one for 100% ROC cotton lint and yarn (updated January 2026), and one for >95% ROC men's and women's t-shirts (from August 2025).

Garment manufacturer (Tier 4)— Fabstract Clothing India Pvt Ltd in Noida holds the full stack: GOTS scope certificate (GOTS-25389, valid to July 2026), OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (cert 2026OK0234, valid to January 2027), Fairtrade USA (valid to January 2027), FLOCERT/Fairtrade International (FLO ID 48151, valid to October 2030), OCS (IDF-25-822892, valid to July 2026), and ROA Fiber & Materials registration (April 2026 – April 2027).

We often donate our photoshoot clothing, seconds and/or returns to local West Australian organisations. Our most recent donation was to Anglicare WA, where clothes will be provided to people experiencing homelessness. If you would like further information about our donations, please contact vanessa@stapleco.com.au

We love knowing that when you may not love your clothes anymore, they will continue to be loved by others. Please make sure you donate your unwanted clothing to local organisations in need. You may even be able to sell them at your local op-shop. Or, if they are starting to really show their age, consider a local animal refuge or a clothing recycle centre.

Sale items cannot be returned. They are final sale.

Yes, we accept returns from customers in Australia and New Zealand. There is a 30-day return window. You can find out more by reading our returns policy.

We do not offer returns to our USA, Canada, UK or Singapore customers. This is an environmental decision so we ask that you please check our sizing charts or contact our team with any questions before purchasing.

Yes, we ship to New Zealand, USA, Canada, the UK and Singapore.

Orders placed Monday to Friday are processed within 24-48 hours (excluding weekends).

Orders are shipped via Australia Post. You may select between Standard or Express delivery.

Please email the team at vanessa@stapleco.com.au. We (Vanessa and the team) are always here to help.