Types of organic cotton certifications include the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification and the Organic Content Standard (OCS) certification. These two systems are currently the main certifications for organic cotton. Generally, if a company has obtained GOTS certification, customers won't request OCS certification. However, if a company has OCS certification, they may be required to obtain GOTS certification as well.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certification:
GOTS is an internationally recognized standard for organic textiles. It is developed and published by the GOTS International Working Group (IWG), which consists of organizations such as the International Association of Natural Textiles (IVN), the Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA), the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in the United States, and the Soil Association (SA) in the United Kingdom.
The GOTS certification ensures organic status requirements of textiles, including the harvesting of raw materials, environmentally and socially responsible production, and labeling to provide consumer information. It covers processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, import and export, and distribution of organic textiles. The end products can include, but are not limited to, fiber products, yarns, fabrics, clothing, and home textiles.
Organic Content Standard (OCS) Certification:
OCS is a standard that regulates the entire organic supply chain by tracking the planting of organic raw materials. It replaced the existing Organic Exchange (OE) blended standard, and it applies not only to organic cotton but also to various organic plant materials.
The OCS certification can be applied to non-food products containing 5% to 100% organic content. It verifies the organic content in the final product and ensures the traceability of organic materials from the source to the end product through independent third-party certification. The OCS focuses on transparency and consistency in the assessment of organic content and can be used as a business tool for companies to ensure that the products they purchase or pay for meet their requirements.
The main differences between GOTS and OCS certifications are:
Scope: GOTS covers product production management, environmental protection, and social responsibility, while OCS focuses only on product production management.
Certification Objects: OCS certification applies to non-food products made with accredited organic raw materials, while GOTS certification is limited to textiles produced with organic natural fibers.
Please note that some companies may prefer GOTS certification and may not require OCS certification. However, having OCS certification may be a prerequisite for obtaining GOTS certification.
Post time: Apr-28-2024