The aim of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is to define requirements to ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.
GOTS is recognized as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well.
Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers can become GOTS certified. All chemical inputs such as dyestuffs and auxiliaries used must meet certain environmental and toxicological criteria. The choice of accessories is limited in accordance with ecological aspects as well.
A functional waste water treatment plant is mandatory for any wet-processing unit involved and all processors must comply with minimum social criteria.
The Global Standard GmbH on a Global Organic Textile Standard is made up of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), The Soil Association (UK), International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN)(Germany), and the Japan Organic Cotton Association.
“We are a OCS certified company. Only the products which are covered by
a valid Transaction Certificate are OCS certified.”
OCS products follow criteria that ensure the traceability and integrity of raw materials throughout the supply chain, from origin to final product.This scheme verifies that a product has met organic standards throughout its journey – from raw material to finished product. When we certify to OCS standards, we work with producers to ensure a final product contains the accurate amount of a given organically grown material.
The Goal of the Organic Content Standard (OCS) is to ensure trust in organic content claims.
The OCS accomplishes this goal by verifying the presence and amount of organic material in a final product. It provides a strong chain of custody system from the source of the organic raw material to the final product through certification.
OCS has two different types of Certification:
- OCS 100 logo is used for only for product that contains 95% or more organic material.
- OCS blended is used for products that contain 5% minimum of organic material blended with conventional or synthetic raw materials.
Key Facts about OCS
- OCS is a voluntary standard
- OCS approved products have the entire supply chain verified, even the farms must have certification to a legally recognised standard.
- OCS Certification is carried out by independent companies and facilities are physically inspected to verify standards are met
“We are a RWS certified company. Only the products which are covered by a valid Transaction Certificate are RWS certified.”
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a voluntary certification developed by Textile Exchange with contributions from farmers, animal welfare experts, land conservation experts, brands and retailers from all over the world.
It mainly deals with animal welfare, but also with soil maintenance and preservation of the social aspect of production, especially in sheep farming.
Similar to the Woolmark certification, this label is useful for avoiding buying wool sourced from intensive breeding.
The primary objectives of certification Responsible Wool Standard (RWS):
- Protect the welfare of animals
- Preserve the health of the soil
- Protect social well-being
- Guaranteed chain of custody
- Ensure credible certification
- Involvement of interested parties
THE EUROPEAN FLAX® LABEL IS THE ONLY GUARANTEE TO THE CONSUMER OF EUROPEAN PREMIUM QUALITY FLAX FIBRE
EUROPEAN FLAX® premium quality European flax for all uses certifies the exclusive origin of flax fibre from Western Europe that respects the environment: Zero Irrigation*, Zero GMO, Zero Waste.
The FLAX® CERTIFICATION guarantees material origin and traceabibility, respect for the environment social responsibility and ethics.
- *Certified 99.9%by CELC
“We are a RCS certified company. Only the products which are covered by
a valid Transaction Certificate are RCS certified.”
The RCS certification aims to enhance the use of recycled materials to promote sustainable consumption and a production model that reduces the consumption of resources, such as virgin raw materials, water, and energy.The Recycled Claim Standard also provides a tool for companies to validate and communicate sustainability claims about their products.
The RCS certification verifies essential practices at the beginning of the supply chain and tracks the material to the final product. It offers brand protection, confidence in sourcing, and greater credibility.
The Recycled Claim Standard provides transparent, consistent, and comprehensive independent evaluation and verification of recycled material content claims on products.
By verifying the claims made to consumers, the RCS certification provides a credible voice for suppliers and brands. It leads to higher confidence with a system of standards recognized internationally.
The Recycled Claim Standard drives the industry to move faster towards progress on sustainability goals. It defines globally recognized requirements that ensure the recycled status of textiles, from raw material harvesting to the final product.
The Recycled Claim Standard also provides a credible assurance to the end consumer. It allows textile processors and manufacturers to export their recycled fabrics and garments with one certification accepted in all major markets.
The RCS is also an active contributor to sustainable development. It pushes recycled textiles to become a significant part of everyday life, enhancing human lives and the environment.
The RCS certification is an international, voluntary, content claim standard that sets requirements for third-party verification of the chain of custody and recycled content.
RCS certified recycled products must contain a minimum of 5% of recycled material.
The RECYCLED 100 label guarantees products contain 95-100% recycled content without any non-certified material of the same type.
The RECYCLED BLENDED label guarantees products contain 5-95% recycled content with no other restrictions on the remaining content.
The recycled content in textile products must receive adequate identification and traceability along the entire chain of custody. Each stage of production is required to be certified.
The RCS uses the ISO 14021 definition of recycled content.
The RCS certification applies to both pre-consumer (or post-industrial) and post-consumer recycled material content.
The growth in recycled fiber consumption demands unified processing criteria applicable to the global textile and apparel industry and the RCS certification has demonstrated its practical feasibility.
The RCS is internationally recognized, widely understood, trusted, and respected by consumers. It verifies the recycled content of products in every step of the value chain through third-party certification.
Better Cotton is the world’s leading sustainability initiative for cotton. The focus is to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.BCI aims to transform cotton production worldwide, by addressing the negative impacts of cotton growing and processing. As a BCI member, GOUCAM is part of a global community sharing in this commitment. Through its work with a diverse range of stakeholders across the supply chain, BCI promotes continuous improvements that are measurable for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas. Under the following four aims, BCI is working towards making ‘Better Cotton’ a sustainable mainstream commodity:
- Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production
- Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas
- Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout supply chain
- Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is the most widely used social audit in the world
SMETA is Sedex’s social auditing methodology, enabling businesses to assess their sites and suppliers to understand working conditions in their supply chain.
Social audits enable businesses to assess their suppliers, monitor health and safety for workers, and signal zero tolerance of human rights abuses such as child and forced labour. Once an audit is complete, buyer and supplier businesses can work together to address any issues, based on a Corrective Action Plan.
SMETA, the world’s leading social audit
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) assesses a site based on their organisation’s standards of labour, health and safety, environment and business ethics. Sedex believes these are key areas for assessing an organisation’s responsible business practices and meeting social compliance.