Why certified organic cotton?

 

Babies have not developed a robust immune system yet and are more susceptible to allergies and eczema. Because organic cotton does not contain toxic substances, it is more suited for your baby’s skin. Organic cotton is also softer and breaths better. 

Chemicals used in regular cotton production are bad for air, soil, and all people working with it. Almost all our brands use GOTS certified cotton or fabrics Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified.  

What is GOTS certification?      

GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It is a standard used around the world that guarantees the organic products you bring into your home are healthy and safe for you and the environment – and provide a fair and just working environment for those who manufacture them.  

The aim of GOTS is to be a credible resource for consumers looking for textiles that produced in an environmentally and socially responsible method. Not only are these fabrics free of harmful chemicals, the results of the production pose no threat to the environment or the communities in which they are produced. This universal standard assures that no harmful or toxic chemicals are used from harvest to manufacture, including the dyeing, washing, and finishing processes. The standard even examines the disposal of waste and wastewater treatment. Strict guidelines have to met in working conditions as well; companies must provide a safe a hygienic environment, with livable wages, appropriate working hours, and absolutely no child labor. Learn more about GOTS.   

What is OCS? 

For those products that contains not only cotton, like velour, some brands use the Organic Content Standard (OCS). This standard, developed by the Textile Exchange organization, relies on a third-party verification to validate that the final product contains the accurate amount of a given organically grown material. Learn more about OCS. 

What is Oeko-Tex Standard?     

The Oeko-Tex Standard 100, developed by a group of European textile institutes, is a global testing and accreditation program for the screening of harmful substances in consumer textiles. Products with the Oeko-Tex label are tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants.   

The requirements within this standard are not only related to textiles and yarns, but also include prints, motives and accessories. The requirements are rigid for textiles that are in direct skin contact and are most strict concerning goods for babies and for toddlers of up to 3 years old.   

Some examples of controlled substances:    

            - Formaldehyde   

            - Pesticides (means to combat pests, weeds and microorganisms) and defoliants  

            - Phenols PCP (pentachlorphenol) and TeCP (tetrachlorphenol), used as preservatives, as well as OPP (orthophenylphenol) and the organic preservatives and pesticides TBT (tributyltin), TPhT (triphenyltin) and DBT (dibutyltin)  

            - The heavy metals chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, cadmium, antimony, arsenic, lead and mercury  

            - Special dyes, the azo dyes, pigments and amines, that are suspected to be carcinogenic  

            - Phthalates (plastic softeners)  

            - Asbestos fibers       

In addition to these substances, there are also restrictions regarding maximum dye release and evaporation of organic compounds.    

As all of these substances are not permitted to be found in the clothes, the manufacturers are in turn, not able to use them in their production. So, Oekotex is not only good for our kids, but also kind to the environment.Learn more about Oeko-Tex standard.