“Detoxing the home is the next big thing,” says Cairey Slater, general manager: exhibitions for Decorex SA.
“The wellness phenomenon not only impacts on the way we eat, but how we design and decorate our homes.”
Conspicuous consumption is being replaced with a new attitude – conscious consumption. “Consumers are more conscious of the environment, taking greater responsibility to protect it; and they are eager to find ways to make the home better, ecologically speaking”.
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New eco-textile labelling system to be implemented from Spring 2008 onwards
As part of its major push to become the number one trade fair worldwide for eco-textiles, Interstoff Asia Essential, Spring 2008, will feature a specialist speaker panel from the world’s top eco-textile accreditation companies, plus a special stand where they can distribute information to exhibitors and visitors. It will also feature a new eco-labelling system developed in association with one of the world’s top textile experts, allowing buyers to more easily understand the myriad materials and processes that make fabrics ‘eco-friendly’. A special display forum, ‘Eco-textiles: Fabrics That Care’, will house a wide selection of exhibitor fabrics labelled according to the new system.
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Organic Exchange opens European Office
Organic Exchange (OE) is pleased to announce the opening of our European office with a focus on expanding, connecting, stimulating and supporting the market for organic and sustainable textiles in Europe. OE will be partnering closely on key elements of our efforts in Europe with MADE-BY. Together we feel we can offer a more complete portfolio and be more responsive and proactive with apparel brands, retailers and suppliers in growing the market. This effort is also generously supported by ICCO and Solidaridad, two EU-based development organizations and longtime partners of Organic Exchange.
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Directory of Organic Fiber & Textiles Trade Organizations
(Green Fashion / Eco-Friendly Fashion, Organic Cotton, Organic Certifications) |
European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
The EEB is a federation of more than 140 environmental citizens’ organisations based in all EU Member States and most Accession Countries, as well as in a few neighbouring countries. These organisations range from local and national, to European and international. The aim of the EEB is to protect and improve the environment of Europe and to enable the citizens of Europe to play their part in achieving that goal.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard
It is now already more than 20 years ago when experts in organic agriculture studied the possibility of cultivating organic cotton for industrial use. Already 16 years ago, in 1989, the International Association Natural Textile Industry (former AKN) was founded in Germany and defined a first set of standards to process eco-friendly textiles with a practicable industrial approach. So far there exist worldwide numerous different standards and draft standards for the production in the niche market of organic textiles. The existing different standards cause confusion with producers and consumers and are an obstacle to free international exchange with organic textiles.
Based on this background during the Intercot Conference 2002 in Düsseldorf (Germany) a workshop was launched where representatives of organic cotton producers, the textile industry, consumers as well as standard organisations and certifiers participated and discussed the need for a harmonised world-wide recognised organic textile standard.
As a concrete result of the workshop the "International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard" was founded with the aim to work on harmonisation of the various regional approaches and to develop a Global Organic Textile Standard.
Since then, a number of organisations and experts have periodically participated in this work. After only 3 years - at the next Intercot Conference 2005 in Chicago, the 1st Version of the Global Organic Textile Standard was presented by the International Working Group. |
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MADE-BY
What does MADE-BY wish to achieve?
MADE-BY wants to expand the market for clothing manufactured in a sustainable manner.
1. By helping fashion brands clean up their production process.
2. By developing socially responsible production chains worldwide.
3. By giving consumers a wide choice among fashion products made with respect for people and planet.
How will MADE-BY do that?
Blue button. MADE-BY is an umbrella label used by fashion brands and retailers to show consumers that their clothes are okay, i.e. that they are produced in a sustainable manner. The brands affiliated to MADE-BY use organic cotton and work with sewing factories that have a social code of conduct. MADE-BY is the first fashion initiative to focus on environmental and working conditions throughout the entire production chain. The MADE-BY brands can be identified by means of a blue button. If you see one, you will know that brand produces its collection in a people- and environmentfriendly manner. |
Institute for Marketecology (IMO)
The Institute for Marketecology is one of the first and most renowned international agencies for inspection, certification and quality assurance of eco-friendly products. Our world-wide activities are accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) according to EN 45011 (ISO 65), which is the international standard for certification. IMO offers certification for organic production and handling according the European Regulation (EU) Nr. 2092/91. Also we have been accredited by USDA for organic certification according to the American National Organic Program (NOP). Recently we have received the reaccreditation by MAFF and offer certification according to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for the Japanese market.
Since more than 20 years, IMO has been active in the field of organic certification but it is also expert in the sectors of natural textiles, sustainable forestry, and social accountability monitoring.
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
IFOAM is the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement, uniting more than 750 member organizations in 108 countries.
Organic trade is a rapidly growing reality all over the world. The growth rates of the organic sector demonstrate that organic products are moving from the “niche” and entering mainstream markets. The total land under certified organic production worldwide has reached over 26 Million hectares. IFOAM is at the center of this development.
International Relationships
IFOAM actively participates in international agricultural and environmental negotiations with the United Nations and multilateral institutions to further the interests of the organic agricultural movement worldwide. IFOAM is uniquely recognised for taking on this important role. The introduction of the Principles of Organic Agriculture and the recognition of IFOAM by international institutions is of enormous importance for the further development of organic agriculture
The Organic Guarantee System
IFOAM provides a market guarantee for integrity of organic claims. The Organic Guarantee System (OGS) unites the organic world through a common system of standards, verification and market identity. It fosters equivalence among participating IFOAM accredited certifiers, paving the way for more orderly and reliable trade whilst acknowledging consumer trust in the organic ‘brand’.
Facilitating Networks and Market Development
Through IFOAM programs, conferences and events, IFOAM is laying the groundwork for the further development of organic agriculture and its markets worldwide. Through IFOAM World Congresses, International Trade conferences, commodity specific (coffee, seeds, wild products, etc.) and other events , IFOAM brings together the key players from all over the planet to facilitate trade in organic products.
National Organic Program (NOP)
The National Organic Program homepage is your starting point for accessing information on USDA's National Organic Program.
Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. The OFPA required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop national standards for organically produced agricultural products to assure consumers that agricultural products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards. The OFPA and the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations require that agricultural products labeled as organic originate from farms or handling operations certified by a State or private entity that has been accredited by USDA.
The NOP is a marketing program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Neither the OFPA nor the NOP regulations address food safety or nutrition.
OneCert - Organic Certification
OneCert provides organic certification worldwide. Certification and inspection programs include the US National Organic Program (NOP), European Organic Regulations (EU 2092/91), Quebec Organic Standards (CAQ), Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS), IFOAM, and Bio Suisse. Services include organic certification, organic inspection, export certificates, transaction certificates, on-line record keeping, answers to certification questions, and presentations of organic topics. |
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Organic Exchange
Organic Exchange is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization committed to expanding organic agriculture, with a specific focus on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton.
Our long term goal is to grow the amount of certified organic land farmed for fiber production by 50% per year. Achieving this goal will allow us to have a positive, significant, visible and measurable impact on the world..
To support these efforts, we bring together brands and retailers with their business partners, farmers and key stakeholders to learn about the social and environmental benefits of organic agriculture, and to develop new business models and tools that support greater use of organic inputs. In addition, we raise consumer awareness about the value of organic farming and the availability of products containing organic cotton.
We create solutions which improve environmental quality, enhance the livelihoods of farmers, increase profitability for innovative brands and their business partners and expand consumer choice. |
Organic Trade Association (OTA)
The Organic Trade Association is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment.
OTA represents businesses across the organic supply chain and addresses all things organic, including food, fiber/textiles, personal care products, and new sectors as they develop. Over sixty percent of OTA trade members are small businesses.
Soil Association
The Soil Association is the UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation for organic food and farming.
Since its formation in 1946, the Soil Association has grown from a small but influential voice challenging the orthodoxy of chemical-based intensive agriculture, to an international authority on the principles and practices of organic farming.
But our interests and activities have always extended more widely, covering the whole spectrum of animal welfare, the environment, human health, international development, and rural culture.
Soil Association Certification Limited (SA Certification) is the UK’s largest organic certification body. It's also the only certification body linked to a committed charity, promoting organic food and farming.
Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC)
SSNC is an environmental organisation with power to bring about change.
We spread knowledge, map environmental threats, create solutions, and influence politicians and public authorities, at both national and international levels. Moreover, we are behind one of the world’s most challenging ecolabellings, “Bra Miljöval” (Good Environmental Choice). Climate, the oceans, forests, environmental toxins, and agriculture are our main areas of involvement.
Testex® - Worldwide Textile Testing
Testex® is an independent, neutral, Swiss textile testing institute which provides public services worldwide for everyone engaged in all textile and related fields (cf. Customer segments).
Its range of services extends from standard physical and chemical textile tests through residue and harmful substance analysis to factual investigation in cases of damage, consulting on environmental and quality issues, and special services such as organising round robin tests and on-site services. Our testing facilities are structured in such a way that we can make available a comprehensive range of tests for all textile raw materials, semi-finished and finished products. We are especially proud to be one of the few institutes in the world which is still able to test raw silk and silk products. As an accredited testing laboratory we consider ourselves obliged to improve our quality management and technical expertise continuously in the service of our clients. We therefore endeavour always to perform tests in accordance with national and international regulations and standards. |
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