The Cost of Doing Nothing: The Risk of Sourcing and Making Claims on Non-Certified Hemp

In today’s global apparel market, transparency isn’t just a value. It’s a requirement.

For brands eager to tap into the appeal of natural fibers like hemp, the temptation to make sustainability claims without certification may seem harmless. But in a fast-evolving regulatory and consumer landscape, sourcing non-certified hemp is no longer a neutral choice. It’s a liability.

Here’s why doing nothing could cost your brand more than you think.

1. Sustainability Claims Without Proof Create Greenwashing Risk

Hemp has earned a reputation as a sustainable fiber. But without an audited, chain-of-custody certification, brands making broad claims about “eco-friendly hemp” or “sustainable sourcing” are increasingly vulnerable to scrutiny.

EU regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) are raising the bar for verified sourcing. Unsubstantiated claims can lead to fines, recalls, and reputational damage, especially in markets like the EU, where enforcement against greenwashing is intensifying.

If your hemp fiber isn’t certified, your claims aren’t protected.

2. Supply Chain Visibility Isn’t Optional Anymore

Without a standard like RHS in place, it’s nearly impossible to track and verify:

• Farm-level practices (e.g., pesticide use, labor conditions)

• Processing inputs (e.g., bleaching agents, retting chemicals)

• Fiber handling across multiple countries and facilities

Non-certified hemp may lack the critical documentation needed for due diligence, digital product passports, or consumer-facing transparency tools.

No traceability means no credibility.

3. Reputational Damage Can Be Fast — and Costly

In a crowded fashion market, brand trust is hard-earned and easily lost. With social media and watchdog groups quick to call out misleading sustainability claims, even unintentional missteps can spark backlash.

For brands investing heavily in ESG storytelling and consumer loyalty, using non-certified hemp creates a glaring inconsistency between messaging and reality.

One weak link in your supply chain can undermine your entire sustainability strategy.

4. You Miss Out on Market Differentiation

Brands that certify their hemp fiber inputs through RHS can:

• Back up their sustainability claims with third-party verification

• Comply with EU regulatory requirements with confidence

• Build stronger partnerships with responsible suppliers

• Participate in pilot projects, procurement programs, and incentives that favor certified inputs

Non-certified hemp suppliers may offer lower upfront costs, but they can’t offer the credibility, transparency, and future readiness that certification provides.

Certification isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a strategic advantage.

5. You Risk Falling Behind Competitors

Textile industry leaders are increasingly integrating certified bast fibers, including hemp, into their preferred material portfolios. From sourcing policies to reporting frameworks, certification is becoming the new baseline.

Failing to act now may mean falling behind on:

• Circularity and regenerative sourcing goals

• Climate and biodiversity targets

• Buyer expectations for transparency

Inaction today means playing catch-up tomorrow.

Responsible Hemp Standard is Built for This Moment

The Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS) offers the only global chain-of-custody certification designed specifically for industrial hemp in the textile supply chain. It delivers:

• Verified traceability from farm to finished garment

• Audited compliance with social and environmental best practices

• Alignment with global standards and EU regulatory frameworks

Don’t Wait Until You’re Forced to Act

The cost of certifying your supply chain is small compared to the cost of inaction.

If you're a sourcing, sustainability, or production lead, now is the time to transition from assumptions to assurance.

Certify it. Trace it. Prove it.

Learn how RHS can help your brand stay ahead of regulations, mitigate risk, and build responsible fiber supply chains.