Sustainability
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Sustainability starts long before the fabric. It starts with design. At Babbily, sustainability begins with the way we think about children's clothing: designed to last, made from certified materials, sewn in small family-run workshops in Europe — and created to fit across multiple sizes and often even multiple children. Every decision we make — from pattern cutting and fabric selection to packaging — is guided by this principle. For us, sustainability is also reflected in how long a garment is actually worn. Clothes that last longer mean fewer replacements, lower resource consumption, less textile waste and less disposable fashion. Made For Mums Gold Award 2024 · Green Product Award Finalist 2025 |
Sustainability at a glance
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GOTS-certified fabrics Organic cotton without harmful chemicals |
European production Small family-run manufacturers in AT, SK, PL |
Reinforced knees 100,000 abrasion cycles — 20× more durable than standard |
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Grow-along design One garment covers 3–4 conventional sizes |
Plastic-free packaging Corrugated cardboard, paper hangtags, cotton labels |
Small production runs Limited quantities to avoid overproduction |
01 Materials
All Babbily organic cotton fabrics are GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). This means: no synthetic pesticides in cotton farming, no harmful chemicals during dyeing and processing, and social minimum standards and wages throughout all stages of fabric production — from fibre to finished fabric.
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Material |
Certifications |
Notes |
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Leggings & trousers: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane depending on the style, some fabrics are 100% organic cotton Fabric qualities: Summer sweat — 250 gsm Single jersey — 200 gsm French terry — 250 gsm Organic cotton fleece — 305 gsm |
GOTS · KIWA BCS 26126 GOTS · Control Union 1010800 |
Fabric suppliers: Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and France. Elastane is included within the GOTS certification standard. Based on our current product range, we estimate that approximately 93% of the fabrics we use are GOTS-certified organic cotton and around 5% are LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose. The remaining materials are durable reinforcement fabrics used at the knees and other high-wear areas to help our clothing last longer. |
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Reinforced knee panels: Cordura® 4-way stretch 90% PA6.6, 10% elastane Abrasion-resistant and water-repellent · Supplier: Austria |
bluesign® Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® M1NMPLKN1 OETI OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 24214 OETI OEKO-TEX® STeP 15000455 OETI ISO 50001 |
We are aware that the knee reinforcement is based on synthetic fibres. However, in our testing this material has consistently proven to be significantly more durable than alternatives such as double fabric layers or traditional cotton reinforcements. By using it only in high-wear areas, we extend garment life considerably and help prevent premature wear. |
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Buttons: Tagua nut (vegetable ivory) Natural and biodegradable · Supplier: Germany |
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Nr. 98.0.9775 |
Plant-based vegetable ivory — no animal-derived materials, fully biodegradable. |
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We intentionally work with fabric suppliers who are transparent about the origin and production of their materials and can provide traceability of country of origin. Not every GOTS-certified fabric automatically becomes part of a Babbily product: we only use materials in our core collections that have proven themselves through extensive in-house and real-life wear testing. |
Making fabric go further
We try to use fabric as efficiently as possible from the start. Over the years, we have measured how much fabric each garment requires and send only the amount needed for production. We also encourage our production partners to make the most efficient use of fabric during cutting.
Even with careful planning, some usable fabric remnants remain. These pieces are returned to us, we manually cut them into garments or smaller garments parts, and send again for production runs.
Smaller scraps that are no longer suitable for clothing production we donate to a local school for arts and crafts projects.
Based on our current production process, we estimate that around 30–40% of fabric offcuts are reused or otherwise put to good use rather than discarded.
02 Production & Supply Chain
Design, pattern development and prototype creation take place in our studio in Vienna. All patterns are graded by hand before being passed on to our production partners.
We work exclusively with small family-run and social enterprises in Europe that we know personally and visit regularly.
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Design & Pattern Vienna, Austria In-house and handmade. Focus: durability, everyday practicality, grow-along functionality, comfort. |
Fabrics & Materials Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France GOTS-certified. Shorter transport routes help reduce emissions. |
Production Lower Austria, Slovakia, Poland Small family-run manufacturers. EU labour law. Direct collaboration without intermediaries. Small runs, no overproduction. |
Shipping Dispatched from Vienna, DACH region Via GLS and Austrian Post. |
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All production sites are located within the European Union. This means EU labour regulations, legal minimum wage standards, regulated working hours and no child labour — not voluntary promises, but legal standards enforced by authorities. Because we work directly with factory owners — without agents or intermediaries — we are able to follow production conditions more closely and communicate directly when questions arise. We consciously produce in small runs and limited quantities to avoid overproduction and stock destruction. |
Keeping our supply chain close to home
We design our products in Vienna and manufacture most of our garments in Slovakia. Our main production partner is only a few hours away, which makes it easier to stay in regular contact, discuss adjustments, solve problems quickly, and visit in person when needed.
We also choose fabric suppliers in Europe and prefer partners who can provide clear information about where their materials come from and where they are produced. Whenever possible, we favour suppliers who source fabrics, trims, and other components within Europe or have good oversight of their own supply chains.
We keep our production and supply chain close to home not for the record, but because it gives us better visibility into how our products are made. While no supply chain is perfectly transparent, shorter distances and direct relationships help us understand more about the people, materials, and processes behind our products.
Women supporting women
As a women-led business, we value working with partners who create opportunities for women within the textile industry. In Austria, we work with a social enterprise that supports women returning to the workforce
by providing training, employment opportunities, and a pathway back into professional life.
We also collaborate on selected projects with women-led businesses in Slovakia, particularly during the development and testing of new products and prototypes.
As a small brand, we value long-term partnerships and are proud to work with businesses that create opportunities for women within the textile industry.
03 Supplier Expectations
Babbily works exclusively with suppliers and production partners who meet the following expectations:
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Materials & Certification |
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· Fabrics and materials are GOTS-certified or hold an equivalent recognised certification. |
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· Suppliers can demonstrate the country of origin and production facility for their materials. |
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· Suppliers are willing to share this information transparently and upon request. |
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Quality |
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· Quality is not demonstrated by certification alone — it must prove itself in everyday use. |
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· Quality issues are communicated proactively, before delivery, not after. |
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Production & Labour Standards |
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· All production facilities are located within the EU and operate under EU labour law. |
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· Regulated working hours, legal minimum wages and safe working conditions are upheld. |
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· Child labour is excluded, forced labour, and human trafficking are excluded. · Discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics is not tolerated. · Workers have the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining in accordance with applicable laws. |
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No Subcontracting |
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· Orders are not passed on to third parties without prior written consent from Babbily. |
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Transparency & Collaboration |
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· We expect open communication and honest reporting of problems. |
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· Production facilities must be accessible for personal visits — at short notice or by arrangement. |
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· We prefer partners within reasonable travelling distance of Vienna. |
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· A shared commitment to continuous quality development. |
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Production Quantities |
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· Agreed production quantities are respected. |
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· Overruns may not be produced or sold without explicit approval from Babbily. |
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Intellectual Property |
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· Babbily's patterns, designs, technical specifications and production data are confidential. |
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· These may not be used, reproduced or shared with other clients. |
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These expectations are not a formal certification — they reflect how we live our partnerships in practice. We choose suppliers not only on price or availability, but on shared values: quality, transparency and reliability. |
As a small brand, we rely on direct relationships rather than formal monitoring programmes. We stay in regular contact with our suppliers and manufacturing partners throughout production, discuss quality and production issues directly, and visit facilities where possible.
We require transparency regarding production locations, do not allow subcontracting without prior approval, and expect suppliers to be open about material origins, certifications, and production processes. Production facilities must be accessible for personal visits by arrangement or at short notice.
Our approach is based on direct communication, long-term relationships, and maintaining visibility into how and where our products are made.
04 Durability instead of disposable fashion
A pair of trousers that grows with a child across several sizes and survives everyday adventures uses fewer resources than repeatedly replacing worn-out clothing. That idea sits at the centre of every design decision at Babbily. Grow-along features, reinforced knees, and durable fabrics help our trousers stay in use longer and often replace several conventional pairs over the course of a child's growth.
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Reinforced knee abrasion resistance 100,000 abrasion cycles Martindale test — standard fabric approx. 5,000 |
Grow-along fit 3–4 clothing sizes Adjustable waistband and foldable cuffs |
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Typical wear time 1–2.5 years Often passed on to younger siblings afterwards |
Impact 1 replaces 3 On average, one Babbily garment replaces three conventional children's trousers |
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Estimated community impact — 2025 |
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Methodology: Based on average environmental values for a cotton garment (Water: 2,700 l · CO₂: 6.5 kg · Energy: 35 MJ), multiplied by three replaced garments per sold Babbily product. |
Designed to stay in use longer
We started Babbily as an alternative to children's clothing that is quickly outgrown or wears out after a short time. We focus on practical, comfortable everyday clothing that children can wear, play in, and enjoy for as long as possible.
We do not design our collections around short-lived trends. Many of our core products remain in the collection for several years and are refined over time rather than replaced each season.
When developing our models, we look not only at comfort and appearance, but also at durability. We test fabrics in everyday use and choose materials that stand up to active play. One of our favourite examples is our Grow Proof Leggings, designed for comfort and durability, with reinforced knees and an adjustable fit that allows them to stay with a child through several sizes.
We know that no garment lasts forever, but by focusing on durability and long wear, we aim to reduce the need for frequent replacement and help clothing remain useful through multiple seasons, growth spurts, and adventures.
05 Packaging
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Care labels |
100% organic cotton, printed — no PVC · Made in Poland |
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Brand & size labels |
100% woven cotton — no plastic print · Made in Poland |
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Hangtags |
Paper without plastic coating · Supplier: Germany · Produced in Italy |
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Shipping packaging |
Corrugated cardboard mailers — 100% plastic-free, recyclable · Made in Germany · RESY-certified · 100% recycling carton |
06 Animal Materials
All Babbily products are free from animal-derived materials.
We consciously avoid wool, leather, down, fur and materials made from exotic animal skins.
07 Care & Durability
To help garments last longer, we recommend:
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· Wash only when necessary and at low temperatures |
· Spot-clean small stains whenever possible |
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· Air garments regularly instead of washing unnecessarily |
· Rotate garments between wears to reduce fibre stress |
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· Air dry instead of tumble drying to extend fabric life and reduce energy use |
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08 What we do not yet measure
We believe transparency also means being open about gaps.
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In progress
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09 Company & Contact
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Company |
Sunny Bunny e.U. |
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Address |
Beheimgasse 20, 1170 Vienna, Austria |
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info@babbily.eu |
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Awards |
Made For Mums Gold Award 2024 · Green Product Award Finalist 2025 |
Last updated: May 2026 · babbily.eu