KLUE’s products are manufactured in Turkey at ateliers that supposedly boast significant ethical certifications including OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GOTS, though these certifications remain unverified. The production facilities also hold a BSCI A rating, which suggests a commitment to maintaining ethical workplace standards. Despite these certifications, detailed information about the suppliers and the nature of their workplace practices, or how frequently KLUE interacts with and visits these suppliers, has not been provided.
KLUE focuses on using better materials in their product range, mainly Aegean organic cotton, and Merino Wool. These indicate a preference for natural fibres, however they also use synthetic and semi-synthetic fibres such as lyocell, polyamide, polyester, and elastane. Additionally, “eco-friendly” Lurex is used to provide a sustainable alternative within their vibrant designs, however we are unsure of the specifics of the eco-friendly nature of the lurex, more information is needed to know their “sustainable” nature.
While KLUE claims to be GOTS certified, which would imply sustainably sourced materials, specific certification details have not been provided. They also claim their products are OEKO-TEX compliant, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals. However, without specific details on packaging methods and the chemicals used beyond a general compliance claim, the full scope of their environmental impact remains unclear.
KLUE uses high percentages of synthetic materials mixed in with natural materials in the socks. While such synthetic blends are needed to make socks more elastic, this also makes recycling more difficult at the end of their use, which reduces the circularity of their products.
KLUE’s production is located in Turkey, but the full extent of the supply chain remains undisclosed. We currently lack details on the headquarters location and specific transportation methods used for product distribution. This information is crucial to fully assess the brand’s environmental impact, particularly in terms of emissions. Further details are awaited to complete our understanding of KLUE’s operational footprint.
KLUE incorporates Merino wool in their products; however, the brand has not provided details regarding the ethical sourcing of this wool or if it is mulesing-free.
KLUE offers a range of unisex, vibrantly coloured socks that add character to everyday wear. They provide some care instructions on their retailers’ websites, focusing on the maintenance of their socks.
KLUE’s transparency is quite limited due to the absence of a dedicated brand website, which typically hosts comprehensive information about a brand’s practices and sustainability efforts. Information regarding their products, such as materials and manufacturing, is primarily scattered across retailer pages and their Instagram. This makes verifying their claims about environmental and social values challenging. The lack of direct access to detailed certification numbers or proofs, and the absence of an “about” or “sustainability” section that typically provides deeper insights into a brand’s operations, further complicates the transparency. Thus, while some information is available through third-party sources, the overall traceability and depth of information provided by KLUE remain unclear, relying heavily on the accuracy and completeness of retailer-provided data.
Conclusion
While KLUE offers an engaging array of colourful, unisex socks and accessories, there are significant gaps in transparency that need addressing. The absence of detailed, direct information makes it challenging for COSH! to fully assess their practices. We look forward to speaking to KLUE directly and gaining more insight into their sustainable activities!
