O'DONNELL, Texas — February 19, 2013 — The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is a new chain of custody standard to track certified organically grown raw materials through the supply chain through the use of scope certificate and transaction certificates, all verified by an independent third-party. The OCS will replace the OE 100 and OE Blended standards, within an allowed transition time.

What is new?

• The OCS will allow any kind of certified organically grown material; it is not limited to cotton.
• The OCS combines the former OE 100 and OE Blended into one standard. There will continue to be two options for labeling, according to final organic material percentages and whether it has been blended with its conventional counterpart.

How can the OCS be used?
Because the OCS can be used with any raw material, it is relevant for industries beyond textiles. The standard combines an organic farming certification requirement with the chain of custody requirements of the Content Claim Standard (CCS).

How do I become certified?
There will be a transition period while Certification Bodies become accredited to the new standard. As soon as the process is complete, we will post the list of Certification Bodies onto the OCS webpage. Contact your Certification Body for more information.

What if my company is already certified to the OE standards?
Your company will transition to the OCS in your next annual renewal audit. Contact your Certification Body for more information.

I have questions!
Register for the upcoming webinar "Integrity in Content Claims," which will explain content claims and how they are supported by the Content Claim Standard, the Organic Content Standard, and the upcoming Recycled Content Standard.

Send your questions to Integrity@TextileExchange.org.

Posted on February 19, 2013

Source: Textile Exchange