Green Shape rather than greenwashing: Vaude now independently certified

From an in-house label to an externally audited standard

Green Shape was, for a long time, an environmental standard developed by Vaude. In early 2026, the company transferred responsibility for the criteria to the non-profit organisation Green Shape e. V. The association is now the standard-setter and operator of the certification programme. Vaude uses the standard as a brand, but, according to its own statements, no longer sets the requirements itself nor does it monitor them.

For the initial certification, Control Union Certifications Germany assessed the company and the relevant products. This is the key difference from the previous model: whether a product meets the criteria is no longer to be judged solely by the brand selling it. In future, Green Shape will also be open to other textile and outdoor brands. Whether, and to what extent, they will make use of the scheme remains to be seen.

What Green Shape assesses in textiles

According to the association, the standard takes into account several stages of a product’s life cycle: design and choice of materials, manufacture, use and the end of its useful life. The criteria include material efficiency, reparability and recyclability, as well as requirements relating to raw materials, chemicals and production processes. The assessment therefore goes beyond simply considering whether an individual material is recycled.

For cyclists, the intended use remains the key factor. An eco-label does not tell you how well a jacket protects against continuous rain, how it performs when worn on a road bike, or whether the ventilation is sufficient during strenuous activity. To answer these questions, you need specific details about the model in question and reliable real-world experience. Just how differently jackets meet these requirements is demonstrated, for example, by the TOUR tests of road cycling rain jackets.

Why the new EU rules are important

The certification coincides with new EU regulations against misleading environmental claims. The rules set out in the ‘Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition’ Directive have been in force since 27 September 2026. Among other things, they impose stricter requirements on voluntary sustainability labels. However, this does not mean that the EU has assessed individual Green Shape products or awarded the label.

A key point regarding accreditation is that, according to the press release, the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) is still assessing the certification programme’s eligibility for accreditation. It cannot be inferred from this that DAkkS has already issued its confirmation.

What the 80 per cent figure tells us

According to Vaude, 80 per cent of the products in its current autumn and winter 2026 collection are certified and labelled accordingly. This figure relates to this collection, not to every product in the brand’s range, nor specifically to the range for road cyclists. When making a purchase, it is therefore worth taking a closer look at the individual garment: does it carry the new label, what materials have been used, and is its function suited to the intended use?

Green Shape can provide an independently verified assessment of defined environmental criteria. The label does not replace a comparison of fit, weather protection, durability and price.