Berlin – German Development Minister Dr Gerd Müller has appointed the members of the Green Button’s independent expert advisory council. The advisory council will advise the German Development Ministry on further developing the government-run textile label.

Müller: ‘I’m delighted that we’ve been able to appoint proven experts to the advisory council. They will help us to further develop the Green Button requirements, because the Green Button aims to protect people and the environment along the entire textile supply chain.’

The five-member advisory council is an independent expert body and comprises:

• Prof. Stefanie Lorenzen, Professor of Business Law, especially Industrial Law and Social Legislation, at the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR)
• Philipp von Bremen, Head of Consumer Policy Division, Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv)
• Michael Windfuhr, Deputy Director, German Institute for Human Rights
• Dr. Raoul Kirmes, Head of Development of Business Segments, Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS - German national accreditation body)
• Achim Lohrie, Sustainability Expert, Lohrie-Consulting

One of the focal areas of the expert advisory council will be on the establishment of a consumer-friendly system for tracking the certified products. The Green Button is also set to cover other production steps in the supply chain in future. The advisory council’s recommendations will be available to the general public.

Philipp von Bremen from the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv): ‘The Green Button should make it easier for people to find clothes produced in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner and navigate the maze of textile labels. Nonetheless, if consumers are to accept the label, the award criteria need to be effective and transparent. This is exactly what I will work to promote on the advisory council.’

The Green Button was launched by German Development Minister Dr Gerd Müller on 9 September 2019. Over 30 companies have already had their products, including T-shirts, trousers, shoes, backpacks, tents and bed linen, certified with the Green Button label.

(Source: http://www.bmz.de/20200309-2 (German only))