Don’t you just wish there was an organic/bio standard for everything? Turns out that there are companies taking the lead on setting standards for textiles. If you’ve read Safety Standards on Clothes and Why We Need Them, this post lists the safety standards and retailers that make an effort to follow them.
There are two textile standards that assure manufacturers make wiser choices when selecting bleaching and dying substances. Oeko-Tex Textile Safety Standard and Global Organic Textile Standard are the two I researched. Here’s a little more about them.
Oeko-Tex Textile Safety Standards
One organization that provides textile safety standards is the Oeko Tex. Similarly to the USDA which provides “organic” standards for food, the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology (which also calls itself Oeko-Tex for short) provides safety standards for textiles — including environmental safety and human safety. Wikipedia actually breaks it down to digestible bites while the OekoTex.com website has more info on the labels to look for.
Global Organic Textile Standard
Also provides textile processing standards — these include ecological and social criteria. The goal of the organization is to provide credible assurance to the end consumer. The Global-standard.org website contains detailed information.
Retailers We Can Trust
As it turns out, there are a good number of retailers who are committed to high quality clothes that keep us warm (or cool) without filling us with toxins. As always, research before you buy as policies change!
Blue canoe: Eco-conscious organic clothing made in the USA. The high-quality fabrics feel amazing on the skin. Cotton and bamboo grown without harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers paired with non-toxic dyes guarantee soft and sustainable fabrics.
prAna: Sustainable clothing and accessories that provide a feel-good experience for your body and soul. The company partners with companies and factories that adhere to safety and efficacy standards. Look for items made of organic cotton, recycled wool, or hemp.
Pact: Incredible organic cotton from Fair Trade CertifiedTM factories is part of the reason this company is on this list. No toxic dyes or pesticides were used in the process. You may be able to find their products in Whole Foods.
More companies: Patagonia, Under the Canopy, Fibershed, Savory Institute, TS Designs, Maggie’s Organics, Indigenous, Hempy’s, and others to come.
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Author: Milla, Organic World Club
