The FoundStock Standard

Our Foundation

Each year, more than 92 million pounds of textiles are discarded worldwide. A significant portion of this is pre-consumer excess — perfectly usable materials that never reach production or consumers, yet still contribute to waste and pollution. Yet until now, there was no trusted framework to identify, verify, and certify excess materials as valuable resources for new production.

The FoundStock Standard was created to change that. Developed to keep materials in circulation, it fills a critical industry gap by providing clear definitions, consistent requirements, and third-party oversight to ensure transparency and traceability for materials that would otherwise go unused.

FoundStock is the first certification built specifically for deadstock, verifying that materials are genuine, unused, and ready to reenter the supply chain with traceability brands can trust. Developed over two years in collaboration with world-leading brands and industry specialists, the Standard establishes clear, auditable criteria for bringing pre-consumer materials back into circulation.

Certification audits are independently conducted by globally recognized bodies, Control Union and Peterson, ensuring rigorous, credible verification at every step. While the Standard operates independently, organizations can initiate certification through Aloqia’s excess management software or by working directly with an approved Certification Body.

The future of materials isn’t about making more—it’s about better using what we already have, with FoundStock.

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How We Turn Deadstock into FoundStock

Every FoundStock certification is backed by two layers of rigorous, third-party auditing: one for the organization’s processes, and one for the materials themselves. These audits are conducted by industry leaders Control Union and Peterson, providing the trusted traceability brands need to bring excess back into circulation.

1. Certify the Process

The process starts with the supplier, typically a brand, mill, or manufacturer. Their operations are audited for compliance with the FoundStock Standard. If approved, they receive a Scope Certificate, confirming they have a Certified Process in place.

2. Certify the Materials

Certified organizations can submit their unused textiles for review. If verified as genuine deadstock, the material receives a Transaction Certificate and is labeled Silver, Gold, or Platinum based on documentation and traceability.

3. List for Resale

Once certified, materials can be listed on a marketplace or shared with buyers. Their FoundStock certification ensures verified documentation, traceability, and confidence in quality.

4. Make Amazing Products

Brands can purchase FoundStock-certified materials for use in final products. With claim approval, the FoundStock label can be displayed on a hang tag with a digital record, linking customers to the material’s verified journey.

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Levels of FoundStock Certified Materials

FoundStock uses a tiered labeling system, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, to reflect the extent of traceability, documentation, and impact verification associated with each certified material. All certified materials meet our core standards, but higher levels offer added transparency into how the material was handled, what certifications it carries, and the environmental or social practices behind it.

FoundStock Certified: Silver Label

Silver-labeled materials are the foundation of circularity—bringing unused resources back into the spotlight, responsibly and with proof. These materials have been verified as genuine deadstock and meet baseline requirements for responsible handling, documentation, and quality. 

FoundStock Certified: Gold Label

Gold builds on Silver with deeper visibility and operational accountability. It includes additional third-party product certifications and verifies responsible handling through remote audit access and social compliance checks.

FoundStock Certified: Platinum Label

Platinum is the most comprehensive label. It guarantees that the material—and the organization behind it—has met the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.

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FoundStock Values

Every FoundStock certification is grounded in our five core values. Each element is designed to ensure that we can TRACE the unused materials from excess to final product.

Transparent Supply Chains

We track the journey of every certified material so buyers and brands know exactly where it came from and how it is handled.

• Maintain Documentation
  Maintain invoices, delivery notes, audit records, relevant certifications, and product testing (where applicable) for all certified materials.
• Identify Certified Materials
  Identify and quantify certified materials in all sales, shipping, and marketing documents
• Track Internal Transfers
  Maintain records for any certified material moved between sites under the same Scope Certificate, including quantity, composition, and certification reference.
• Certification Scope Alignment
  Ensure all certified materials are sold, labeled, and shipped following the Scope Certificate and applicable Transaction Certificate(s).

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Responsible Operations

FoundStock certification begins with the organization. We verify that suppliers meet ethical, legal, and operational standards before any material can be considered.

• Meet Legal and Ethical Standards
  Maintain legal registration and site permissions, and ensure full compliance with labor laws—including prohibitions on child labor, forced labor, and fraudulent activity.
• Designate a Compliance Lead
  Appoint a representative responsible for overseeing organization-wide compliance with the FoundStock Standard.
• Implement Quality and Risk Controls
  Establish documented procedures to manage risks like mold, theft, and storage conditions, and maintain systems to uphold material quality and traceability.
• Audit Regularly and Manage Non-Compliance
  Conduct annual internal audits, document and resolve non-compliances, and secure certification body approval before making any public certification claims.

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Approved Origins

Only genuine, unused deadstock is eligible for certification. Materials must be supported by documentation that verifies the cause for the excess and confirms they’ve been properly maintained over time.

• Verify Genuine Surplus
  Demonstrate that certified materials are truly unused deadstock that is not produced for certification. Provide evidence of how materials become excess (e.g., canceled orders, overproduction) and confirm they are not artificially inflated.
• Hold an Active Scope Certificate
  Maintain a valid Scope Certificate listing all Certified Materials and their associated labels (Silver, Gold, Platinum). If no certificate is held yet, clearly declare which materials are seeking certification under the current application.
• Reconcile Volumes Annually
  Perform annual reconciliation of deadstock volumes against site production outputs. This includes selecting physical inventory, reviewing outputs, and monitoring volume trends, including certified vs. non-certified material sales.
• Maintain Records for Five Years
  Keep all documentation related to trade, handling, verification, and volume reconciliation of Certified Materials for at least five years.

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Careful Handling

Certified materials are stored, labeled, and transported in ways that protect their quality and prevent mix-ups, ensuring trust through every step with proper documentation.

• Segregate Certified Materials
  Store Certified Materials separately from non-certified materials at all times, with clear identification of storage areas, containers, and products.
• Prevent Commingling or Confusion
  Implement systems, such as color coding, signage, or labeling, to ensure Certified Materials are not mixed up, substituted, or mishandled during storage or transport.
• Designate Secure Storage Areas
  Use specific, secured storage spaces that protect Certified Materials from weather damage, leaks, pests, or contamination.
• Document Transportation Methods
  Record the transportation means and routes used for Certified Materials to ensure traceability and integrity throughout movement.

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Externally Audited

FoundStock certification is built on trust—every organization and material is verified by independent third-party auditors. Our partners at Control Union and Peterson ensure that both the process and the material meet the FoundStock Standard.

• Independent Verification
  Auditors confirm the authenticity, quality, and management of Certified Materials.
• Process Compliance
  Auditors evaluate the organization’s operations against FoundStock’s ethical and procedural standards.
• Ongoing Oversight
  Certified organizations undergo regular audits to maintain compliance.‍
• Clear Audit Records
  Auditors provide formal documentation of findings to support transparency and accountability.