Organic cotton has become one of the main levers of sustainability in the fashion and textile industries. Unlike other more sophisticated strategies (such as close the loop or recycling), consumers are beginning to grasp that this raw material is better, greener and more responsible than traditional cotton. Its use has been repeated as a mantra in all the retail giants' strategies and short-term environmental goals. After more than four years of intense negotiations, the new Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products was published, which represents the necessary regulatory adaptation to a very dynamic sector, whose market is growing significantly throughout the European Union. The main objectives of this new regulation, which came into force on January 1st 2021, are to favour the harmonisation of the European Union's production model, improve free competition between European products and those from third countries, prevent the possibility of fraud and increase consumer confidence in organic products, as well as clarifying certain technical aspects.
Among the new aspects of the regulation is an increase in the scope of the standard, with the inclusion of new products such as salt, cork, beeswax, yerba mate, silk cocoons, natural gums and resins, essential oils, cotton and wool without carding and combing, or traditional plant-based vegetable preparations. It also addresses new production standards for rabbits, deer and poultry. It also encourages short distribution channels and local production in EU territories, reinforces the concept of "soil-based production" and promotes the use of new organic plant breeding materials, as well as animal breeds with a high degree of genetic diversity, and disease resistance and longevity. It also includes the possibility for small European producers to qualify for group certification. One of the most important aspects is the establishment of a new framework for trade with third countries which, in addition to dealing with exports for the first time, establishes the compliance system as a general rule, which guarantees that the product to be imported from a third country must have been produced in accordance with European regulations, thereby restricting the equivalence model to the framework of a trade agreement. The Organic Company - Danish Home Design Danish brand The Organic Company is a brand that is leading by example when it comes to instilling company ethics that coincide with recent EU legislation to curb toxic textiles. As the name suggests, The Organic Company’s home decor is made with 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS. Based in Denmark, the company has developed an extensive homeware range of organic textiles for bath, kitchen, travel and meditation.
As the company’s primary focus is on environmental responsibility, they guarantee that all of their towels and fabrics are entirely free from toxins and heavy metals and that the rights of their workers are protected and respected. The company’s design is suited for those who prefer a subtle, minimal style with high quality as a priority. Since its foundation in 2007, the Organic Company has developed a large collection of organic textiles for the home, which includes textiles for the bath, kitchen, travel and meditation. All of the brand’s products are made of organic cotton and certified with the international organic standard GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
About the Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS is one of the most trusted ethical certification standards out there, known for its worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers. The organization was founded by four prominent organizations: Organic Trade Association (OTA, USA), Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN, Germany), The Soil Association (UK), and Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA, Japan). GOTS defines worldwide recognized requirements that ensure the organic standard of textiles, unifying these standards across countries and stages of production. It verifies the organic status of 70% of textiles, in cotton, hemp, wool, and linen. If you buy from a brand that is certified organic, you can trust that the garments are made with cotton that is ethical and sustainable. With a vision to make organic textiles a part of everyday life. GOTS demands strict requirements throughout the supply chain, for both ecology and labor conditions in the apparel and textile manufacturing industries.