Several of the brands that we offer - Birch Fabric and Cloud9 Fabrics - use organic cotton and their mills are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard.  We wanted to share some details about what this certification means, not only for the people who buy the fabric, but also for the people who are involved in the manufacturing process.

The GOTS label not only regulates how the plants are grown and processed, but also the labor conditions for the workers along every step in the process.

The following information is available on the GOTS website.

For consumers who buy fabric that is GOTS certified, they can be assured that :

“A textile product carrying the GOTS label must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres, a product with the label grade “organic” must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.”

So what does “organic” mean exactly?  The GOTS definition states that : 

“Organic fibres are natural fibres grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides and GMOs (Genetic Modified Organisms) according to the principles of organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is a production process that sustains the health of ecosystems, soils and people.” 

So the “organic” label includes the idea of the long-term health of the environment and people in a broader sense.  Moreover, the certification process doesn’t only concern the agricultural process, but the labor and manufacturing aspects as well.

Regarding the manufacturing process and labor regulations, their website includes the following information :

“GOTS social criteria, based on the key norms of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), must be met by all processors, manufacturers and traders.”

Some examples that the social criteria regulate:

• “Employment [that] is freely chosen

• Freedom of association and collective bargaining

• Child labour shall not be used

• No discrimination is practised

• Occupational health and safety (OHS)

• No harassment and violence

• Remuneration and assessment of living wage gap

• Working time

• No precarious employment is provided

• Migrant workers”

For more information about Birch Fabric’s and Cloud9’s commitment to organic fabrics and the GOTS standards, you can go to their respective websites.  

Here at Fil Volant, we are proud to offer the option of organic fabric and will happily expand our product range if our customers like and support the products.  Let us know what you think in the comments below or send us an e-mail at contact@filvolant.com.