PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
- Germany (own production, clothing manufacture and partner companies within a radius of max. 50 km)
- South America (Patagonia) – origin of the merino wool from controlled organic animal husbandry
- Europe – further processing steps such as spinning and dyeing (if not in Germany)
WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES
Reiff knitwear is produced almost entirely in Germany, which is associated with very low social risks. The company operates its own production facility at the foot of the Swabian Jura, where all stages of production, from knitting and assembly to the finished product, take place under one roof. In addition, Reiff works with a small number of regional partner companies within a maximum radius of 50 kilometres. This close geographical proximity enables direct communication and good control over manufacturing conditions. This also speaks in favour of a stable, long-term relationship with a small number of selected partners.
The virgin merino wool used comes from controlled organic animal husbandry (kbT) in Patagonia. Controversial mulesing is not used there, as the problematic fly species in Australia does not occur in South America. The wool is washed immediately after shearing and shipped to Europe. Further processing, such as spinning and dyeing, takes place in Germany or other unspecified European countries. While no specific information is available for these countries, GOTS and in some cases IVN-certified processes guarantee a minimum level of assurance with regard to environmental and social standards. Thanks to its long-standing GOTS certification and membership of the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry (IVN), the company is committed to clear environmental and social guidelines.
Reiff Strickwaren describes itself as a fully integrated flat knitting company. This means that production takes place in-house and the company is not reliant on external sewing factories or large supplier structures. This proximity to production increases transparency and significantly reduces the risk of poor working conditions. It is not a purely manual production process, but the production can still be categorised as high-quality craftsmanship due to the controlled in-house responsibility and regional character.
MATERIALS
- Merino virgin wool from certified organic animal husbandry (kbT)
- Organic cotton from certified organic farming (kbA)
- Wool/silk blend (70 % pure new wool from certified organic farming / 30 % bourette silk from certified organic farming
- Crepe wool (100% organic virgin wool, lightly milled)
- Jaquard knit (100% organic virgin wool, multicoloured)
- Mother-of-pearl buttons
- Stone nut buttons
- Metal buttons
- Zips made mostly from recycled plastic
- Sewing thread made from cotton
- Sewing thread made from cotton coated polyester
Reiff mainly uses GOTS-certified materials such as merino wool (kbT) and organic cotton (kbA). These are considered comparatively sustainable as they are produced without pesticides, under strict animal welfare standards and with a transparent supply chain.
PACKAGING
Reiff Strickwaren does not provide any information on which packaging materials are used in e‑commerce or in the supply chain.
WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS
Reiff knitwear uses certified organic natural fibres (kbT, kbA), which greatly reduces water consumption and the use of pesticides at the fibre level.
The dyes used are synthetic dyes, but within the framework of GOTS certification, which prescribes strict guidelines for the use of chemicals (e.g. ban on toxic heavy metals, AZO dyes). In some cases, the IVN BEST standard is also achieved, which sets even higher ecological requirements.
As Reiff only uses natural fibres such as merino wool, cotton and silk and no synthetic fibres are used, the risk of microplastic emissions during washing is very low.
CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN
Reiff Strickwaren mainly uses mono-materials such as 100% merino wool (kbT), 100% organic cotton (kbA) or clear natural fibre blends such as 70% wool / 30% silk. No plant-based synthetic blended fabrics are used, which fundamentally improves recyclability.
A return or take-back system for used garments is not offered and there is no information on what to do with old products.
The focus is on certified natural fibres with a transparent origin.
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL
There is no mention of a repair service or a take-back system. Instead, the brand focuses on durability, high-quality materials and regional production as an indirect means of extending product life.
DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
- Germany – main production location (knitting, manufacturing, production in our own factory or nearby partner companies)
- South America (Patagonia) – origin of the merino wool from certified organic animal husbandry (kbT)
- Europe (unspecified) – individual processing steps such as spinning and dyeing, if not in Germany
TRANSPORTATION
- Reiff Strickwaren sources merino wool from Patagonia (South America). After shearing and washing, the wool is transported to Germany by ship. Further steps such as spinning, dyeing and manufacturing take place in Germany or nearby European countries, which keeps transport routes within Europe short. Production takes place in the company’s own factory or within a maximum radius of 50 kilometres, which significantly reduces local logistics.
- There is no specific information on the shipping system in online retail.
- Merino virgin wool (kbT)
- Bourette silk from certified organic animal husbandry
- Mother-of-pearl buttons
- Merino wool: Patagonia (South America), controlled organic animal husbandry, mulesing-free
- Silk: no exact origin specified
- Mother-of-pearl: origin not specified
Reiff knitwear only uses merino wool from certified organic animal husbandry (kbT). This origin excludes mulesing. It is also emphasised that the fly species responsible for mulesing does not occur in Patagonia, which is why this process is not used there.
The bourette silk also comes from controlled organic animal husbandry, but the origin is not explained in more detail.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Reiff Strickwaren offers a wide range of clothing for the whole family. The collections include items for babies and toddlers, including swaddling bodysuits, overalls, hats and sleeping bags, as well as a variety of children’s clothing such as jackets, jumpers, trousers and accessories. There is also an extensive selection for men and women, including dresses, jumpers, skirts, leggings, waistcoats and jackets.
The overall style of the collection is timeless, close to nature and functional, with a focus on suitability for everyday use, comfort and high-quality materials.
SLOW FASHION PROCESSES
Reiff Strickwaren does not work according to classic fashion seasons, but has a permanent collection that is supplemented with individual styles on a seasonal basis. The focus is on timeless designs that are offered over several years, which corresponds to the principle of slow fashion.
The brand does not offer made-to-measure or made-to-order production – all products are manufactured in standard sizes and sold through specialist retailers.
TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT
Basic information is provided on the Reiff Knitwear product pages. This includes information on the material composition and care instructions. In addition, the available sizes and colours as well as a brief description of the garment are listed.
There is no information on the country of production or specific place of manufacture on the product pages. Although the brand generally refers to regional production in Germany, this information cannot be traced back to individual items. There is therefore no concrete traceability – for example, where exactly the respective product was knitted, dyed or made up. Customers are given a general impression of the origin, but no product-specific transparency.
TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESS
Reiff Strickwaren provides a clear, general description of its processes on its website. Information is provided on the company’s own production in Germany, the origin of the wool from Patagonia, the kbT certification and the processing in Europe. The information is generally transparent at a glance, but not comprehensible in detail.
Suppliers are not mentioned by name, nor are specific locations for dyeing or spinning – only general information is provided. Traceability at product level (e.g. where a specific product was manufactured) is also not possible. The information is only available on a general information page on production and materials, not on the individual product pages.
