OCS |

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is an internationally recognized certification developed by Textile Exchange. It verifies the presence and amount of organic material in a final textile or non-food product. The standard is designed to provide transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, ensuring that the organic fibers claimed in a product actually come from certified organic farms.

Scope of the OCS

• Covers the tracking of organic raw materials (such as cotton, wool, or other fibers) through the entire supply chain—from harvesting and processing to manufacturing and labeling.
• Applies to all types of products containing organic material, including textiles, apparel, home textiles, and accessories.
• Focuses solely on the verification of organic content; it does not address environmental or social criteria.



Key Requirements of OCS Certification

1. Chain of Custody Tracking

• Ensures a transparent and verifiable flow of organic fibers through each stage of production.
• Requires documentation and physical segregation or mass balance methods to avoid contamination with non-organic fibers.

1. Verification of Organic Material

• Organic fibers must come from farms certified to recognized organic agriculture standards.
• The standard requires a minimum percentage of organic content to label products accordingly (e.g., 5% minimum to make an organic claim).

1. Third-Party Certification

• Independent auditors verify the supply chain and production processes to ensure compliance.
• Annual audits and surveillance maintain certification status.

1. Product Labeling

• Products meeting OCS requirements can carry the OCS label, specifying the percentage of organic content (e.g., OCS 100 for 95-100% organic content).
• Helps consumers identify genuine organic products.

Benefits of OCS Certification

• Consumer Confidence: Guarantees that products labeled as containing organic material actually do so.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Provides brands and retailers with verified documentation of organic fiber usage.
• Market Access: Enables access to growing markets for organic textiles and meets increasing consumer demand.
• Supports Organic Farming: Promotes the growth of organic agriculture by creating demand for certified fibers.
• Simplified Certification: Focuses on organic content only, making it less complex than broader sustainability certifications.

Who Should Use OCS?

• Textile and apparel manufacturers and processors handling organic fibers.
• Brands and retailers wanting to substantiate organic claims on products.
• Supply chain managers looking to improve traceability and transparency of organic materials.