IMO certifies traceability of organic cotton

IMO, the Institute for Marketecology, newly offers certification according to two recently developed new organic cotton standards. These two new world-wide standards have been established by Organic Exchange for companies who wish to support their organic cotton products with a fibre-only–claim that is highly credible due to third-party certification. IMO has contributed significantly to the development of those.

As demand in organic textiles continues to grow, the textile sector needs trustworthy quality systems to validate its organic claims. Both standards are well received by the market, because not all producers can meet the more holistic requirements of the already well established Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

The OE 100 Standard is applicable to companies that seek third-party control of the 100% organic cotton fibre-content in their products, and the OE Blended Standard ensures that organically grown cotton is being used to the claimed percentage. Both standards set clear and detailed criteria on how to prove the origin of organic cotton, how to separate and identify the organic cotton products and how the quantitative organic product flow has to be documented and monitored. The related quality assurance system counts on an inspection and certification procedure for all textile operations throughout all production, processing and manufacturing steps.

The Institute for Marketecology (IMO) is one of the most prominent organic certifiers. The institute also offers the established GOTS certification and the certification of organic fibre projects such as cotton, wool, hemp, silk and others.

Organic Exchange is a US-based non-profit business organisation focused on facilitating the growth of a global organic cotton industry. Among the members of the Organic Exchange are Assisi Garments, C&A, Coop, Cutter & Buck, Fountain Set, Hess Natur, Marks and Spencer, Mountain Equipment Cooperative, Nike, Norm Thompson, Otto Versand, Patagonia, Indorama, Kahatex and Timberland.

www.imo.ch