'Organic' is a regulated term used to distinguish systems of managed production and products derived therefrom that adhere to principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, and which are certified compliant to an organic standard's regulations by an Approved Certification Body.
GOTS defines organic textiles as being made with fibres from organic agriculture systems that are certified to one of the IFOAM Family of Standards, and that are processed in socially and ecologically responsible ways, in alignment with organic principles.
The worldwide leading voluntary sustainability standard for the post-harvest textile value chain for certified organic fibres, covering environmental criteria, human rights, social criteria and business conduct.
") on 4 October 2012**  Image: Monkee Genes Lord Peter Melchett has challenged the textiles industry at the Sustainable Textiles Conference in Hong Kong , asking ‘Have you cottoned on yet?’ The New Organic Cotton Initiative will set the record straight – communicating to both [brands](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/brand "A registered or unregistered trademark or other sign other than the GOTS Signs.
The term, in context, can also refer to an organisation that controls the design, development, and purchase of final products for sale under their own name. In that context, brands may sell to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to consumers. This does not include organisations who sell a branded intermediate product for use in further processing steps.
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") and the most reliable, trustworthy system for advocates of [sustainability](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/sustainability "In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
"). The joint campaign of Soil Assciation and GOTS is detailed in a briefing paper - released today, which spells out five unique benefits organic production offers: 1. Give control to farmers, not GM companies Organic farmers don't have their choices controlled by GM companies 2. Eliminate hazardous synthetic pesticides Organic cotton doesn’t use dangerous pesticides, protecting farmers’ lives and the environment 3. Help farmers feed their families Organic cotton enables farmers to grow other crops for food and income 4. Save precious water Organic cotton uses less water, preserving a scarce and precious resource for the future 5. Combat climate change Organic cotton farming uses less energy and healthy organic soils store more CO2 Moreover the benefits of organic processing are pointed out as the comprehensive sustainable way for organic textiles. **[Download the full briefing paper here.](http://www.cottonedon.org/Portals/1/Briefing.pdf "Briefing")** [Download the GOTS press release in English here.](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/stories/pressreleasehaveyoucottonedonyet_gots.pdf) [Download the GOTS press release in German here.](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/stories/pressemitteilung_soil.gots03.10.2012.pdf) **To show your support of organic cotton, sign up at [www.cottonedon.org](http://www.cottonedon.org/)** Please contact [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.](https://gots.vorschau.website/standard glossary text
").org with your company logo, a link to your website and a quote on why you support organic cotton.** **[ ](https://gots.vorschau.website/