Sustainability in Children’s Fashion: Where Does the Spanish Sector Stand?
Have you ever wondered to what extent sustainability in children’s fashion has truly been integrated into the practices of Spanish brands? In today’s landscape, this commitment goes beyond a simple claim: it requires transparency, innovation, and corporate responsibility.
At ASEPRI, the Spanish Association of Children’s Products, we analyze how companies in the children’s sector are advancing in sustainability and what steps they must take to consolidate a circular and ethical industry.
Key Advances in Sustainability in the Spanish Children’s Fashion Sector
The children’s fashion sector in Spain has been strongly pressured by the low-cost segment. In this context, sustainable brands have the opportunity to differentiate themselves by offering added value and certified quality.
In addition, according to a recent study, only a couple of large companies produce comprehensive sustainability reports based on GRI standards, while the majority still do not meet rigorous corporate sustainability criteria.
Certification and Raw Material Traceability
ASEPRI member brands are increasingly opting for certified fabrics such as GOTS, organic cotton, or recycled materials, which help reduce the carbon footprint and ensure supply chain traceability.
Circular Economy and Circular Models
Sustainable children’s fashion incorporates strategies such as garment returns, second-life initiatives, or recycling. Projects like the RE-VISTE system for selective textile collection illustrate this trend, helping brands comply with the Spain 2030 Circular Economy strategy.
Local Production and Ethical Traceability
Spanish childcare and children’s fashion brands are increasingly committed to local production, without compromising on contemporary design and sustainability.
Main Sustainability Challenges Facing the Industry
- Cost efficiency vs. sustainability: Sustainability involves higher costs. As experts note, producing conventional clothing is cheaper than recycling, which makes widespread implementation difficult.
- Limited adoption of standards: Few Spanish manufacturers are aligned with GRI standards or recognized certifications, reducing the credibility of sustainable children’s fashion.
- Declining distribution channels: The multi-brand channel is weakening, while digital platforms and marketplaces are gaining traction. In this scenario, sustainability can be a key differentiating factor to operate with prestige and sell to specialized stores or international clients.
Keys to Driving Sustainability in Fashion
If you represent a brand or are a distributor, these steps will help you advance in sustainability in a consistent way:
- Define a clear sustainability policy with measurable objectives.
- Obtain certifications such as GOTS, Oeko-Tex, or GRS and publish them.
- Adopt circular models: garment returns and reuse.
- Use recyclable or biodegradable packaging — sustainable packaging is now an expected value.
- Manufacture in Spain whenever possible, as a commitment to quality, local employment, and traceability.
- Communicate your commitment transparently through digital channels, trade fairs, or B2B marketplaces (such as the ASEPRI Digital Book).
Sustainability in Spanish children’s fashion is no longer an option: it is an industrial, ethical, and reputational necessity. While low-cost continues to dominate the market, there is a growing niche that values durability, certified quality, and transparency.
At ASEPRI, we bring together committed companies that want to lead this transformation. The future of the Spanish children’s sector depends on firmly integrating sustainability: with circular practices, responsible production, and certified traceability.
If you want to strengthen your sustainable strategy, gain access to tools, contacts, or international visibility, our team is ready to support you.
