Have you ever wondered to what extent sustainability in fashion for children has truly been integrated into the practices of Spanish brands? In the current landscape, this commitment goes beyond a mere claim: it demands transparency, innovation, and corporate responsibility.
At ASEPRI, the Spanish Association of Children’s Products, we analyse how companies in the children’s sector are progressing in sustainability and what steps they need to take to consolidate a circular and ethical industry.
Main advances in sustainability in the Spanish children’s fashion sector
The children’s fashion sector in Spain has faced strong pressure from the low-cost segment. In this context, sustainable brands have the opportunity to differentiate themselves by offering added value and certified quality.
Moreover, according to a recent study, only a couple of large companies produce comprehensive sustainability reports based on GRI standards, while most still do not meet rigorous corporate sustainability criteria.
Certification and traceability of raw materials
Brands associated with ASEPRI are betting on certified fabrics such as GOTS, organic cotton, or recycled materials, which help reduce carbon footprint and ensure traceability in the supply chain.
Circular economy and circular models
Sustainable children’s fashion incorporates strategies such as garment returns, second life, or recycling. Projects like the RE-VISTE system for selective textile collection illustrate this trend that facilitates compliance with Spain’s Circular Economy 2030.
Local production and ethical traceability
Spanish brands in childcare and children’s fashion are increasingly opting for local production without compromising contemporary design and sustainability.
Main sustainability challenges facing the industry
- Cost economy versus sustainability: Sustainability involves higher costs. As experts point out, it is cheaper to produce conventional clothing than to recycle it, which hinders its mass application.
- Limited widespread adoption of standards: Few Spanish manufacturers are aligned with GRI standards or recognised certifications; this limits the credibility of sustainable children’s fashion.
- Declining distribution channels: The multi-brand channel is weakening, and digital channels or marketplaces are being valued. In this scenario, sustainability can be part of the unique proposition to operate with prestige and sell to specialised stores or international customers.
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Keys to promoting sustainability in fashion
If you represent a brand or are a distributor, these guidelines will help you advance in sustainability coherently:
- Define a clear sustainability policy with measurable objectives.
- Obtain certifications such as GOTS, Oeko-Tex, or GRS and publish them.
- Adopt circular models: return and reuse of garments.
- Use recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Sustainable packaging is already an expected value.
- Manufacture in Spain whenever possible, as a commitment to quality, local employment, and traceability.
- Communicate your commitment with transparency on digital channels, trade fairs, or B2B marketplaces (like the Digital Book ASEPRI).
Sustainability in children’s fashion in Spain is no longer an option: it is an industrial, ethical, and reputational necessity. Although low cost continues to dominate the market, there is a growing niche that values durability, certified quality, and transparency.
At ASEPRI, we associate with committed companies that wish to lead this transformation. The future of the Spanish children’s sector lies in firmly integrating sustainability: with circular practices, responsible production, and certified traceability.
If you want to advance in your sustainable strategy, have access to tools, contacts, or international visibility, our team is ready to support you.