Do You Know Who Made Your Rug?

For years, RugMark International, a nonprofit organization, has been working to prevent child labor in the rug industry through its RugMark certification label, which guarantees that rugs are made only by adult artisans. Now it’s taking that crusade another step forward with a new brand label, GoodWeave.

Rugs with a GoodWeave label have been made by companies that follow the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling Alliance’s (ISEAL) Codes of Good Practice. These standards allow GoodWeave to address not only child labor, but also other future social and environmental issues. It also allows GoodWeave to incorporate other textile products into its certification program in the future. 

To obtain GoodWeave certification, rug-making facilities must agree to let GoodWeave inspectors randomly monitor them for illegal child labor. If GoodWeave inspectors find children in the workplace, it partners with local non-governmental organizations to facilitate their rescue and place the children in schools.

To prevent counterfeiting, each GoodWeave-certified rug comes with a number that can be traced back to the producer. Enter the number online to learn the rug’s origin, the craft process used to create the rug and the community programs that the rug’s purchase will support. 

Purchase a Goodweave-certified rug on the GoodWeave website or find a retailer near you.

 

 

Follow Robyn Griggs Lawrence on Twitter: www.twitter.com/naturalhomemag

Comments

[littlepitcher]

This is one area where buying American definitely is recommended.