PETALUMA, Calif. -- Apparel and accessories provider Econscious has become the first U.S. supplier to receive Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. The company was certified through Oregon Tilth.
The GOTS is a comprehensive, international standard that looks at how textiles are made, from the farming of raw materials to how they are manufactured and ultimately labeled.
The standard says what chemicals are prohibited and allowed at various manufacturing stages like production, spinning and dying; and lays out guidelines for buttons, zippers and other hardware. It also covers wastewater treatment, packing and transportation, audits and social conditions at plants, including worker unions, safe conditions and living wages.
“Our goal is to be the most trusted source for organic and sustainable blank apparel and accessories,” said Econscious President Dale Denkensohn, who helped Patagonia convert to organic cotton in the '90s.
[Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify how Econscious was certified.]
via greener design
