FairWertung

FairWertung is a German umbrella association and certification label that sets standards for the ethical collection and resale of second-hand clothing. It operates as a nationwide network of nonprofit organisations and social enterprises — many of them church-affiliated — that collect used garments from the public and channel the proceeds toward social projects. Member organisations must sign a contractual commitment to meet FairWertung's defined criteria in order to use the label.

The certification is designed to distinguish legitimate charitable clothing collectors from commercial operators who may use misleading donation bins or claims. By adhering to FairWertung's standards, member organisations demonstrate transparency in how collected clothing is sorted, priced, and sold, and how revenues are used. The label helps consumers identify trustworthy collection points and organisations when donating used clothes.

FairWertung is primarily relevant to nonprofit organisations, social enterprises, and charity shops operating in Germany that are involved in used clothing collection and resale. It is less a product-level certification and more an organisational membership standard, signalling that a collecting body operates fairly, transparently, and in line with social welfare principles.