Why Certification Matters: Responsible Hemp and the Need for Verified Practices

As hemp makes its way into more apparel supply chains, claims around “organic” or “regenerative” production are becoming increasingly common. While some farmers may indeed be using methods aligned with these principles, the absence of a unified definition or third-party certification means that these terms are often subjective, inconsistently applied, and difficult to verify.

Without a recognized standard in place, brands and producers risk making claims that fall into the realm of greenwashing—misleading consumers, weakening trust, and potentially opening the door to more synthetic inputs, including pesticides and fertilizers currently under study for expanded use in hemp cultivation.

The Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS) was created to address this exact challenge. It is the first global chain-of-custody certification built specifically for industrial hemp, designed to verify responsible practices from farm to final product. RHS offers a practical alternative to the limitations of organic certification for bast fibers, while establishing clear expectations around land use, labor conditions, chemical input restrictions, and traceability.

As part of INCCert’s vision, RHS is not only about minimizing harm—it is about enabling climate-smart, regenerative fiber systems that restore soils, protect biodiversity, and strengthen agricultural supply chains. In alignment with Textile Exchange’s Climate+ strategy, RHS is built to support measurable improvement in water use, emissions reduction, and ecosystem resilience—especially during the pre-spinning phase, where agricultural impacts are most significant.

Certification through standards like RHS ensures that claims are not just aspirational, but auditable. It enables brands to avoid reputational risk, meet evolving legal and market requirements, and align sourcing strategies with long-term climate and social goals.

As hemp reemerges as a renewable natural fiber, we must learn from the missteps of other commodity fibers and feedstocks—and take the time to build a future-facing, resilient standard rooted in accountability, not assumptions.