Soil Association
certified
organic
textiles
Lee Holdstock – Trade Relations
Manager – Soil Association
Photo: People Tree
Certification
Soil Association
Since 1946
10 years progress in Organic Textiles and
certification…
o GOTS: International GOLD standard for organic textiles
Use of Environmentally Minimum social
organic friendly compliance
certified processing in manufacture
fibres
o Social and environmental responsibility
o Whole supply chain certified from field to final product
(checking documentation and physical inspections)
o 0ver 3000 businesses certified in 55 countries
better for people
planet & animals
No.1: THE FARM AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Organic fibres are
grown without the
use of harmful
pesticides or GMOs;
promoting a
healthier farm and
environment
Photo: Simon Ferrigno
No.2: CHEMICALS IN MANUFACTURE
We don’t allow
harmful
manufacturing
chemicals in
organic
production; better
for local wildlife,
people and planet
Photo: CNN/ Greenpeace
No.3: WORKERS CONDITIONS AND RIGHTS
Working
conditions are
high in organic
factories……
f
Photo: Assisi Garments or People Tree
…and growing
organic cotton
can help
farmers find a
way out of
poverty
Photo: PAN - UK
No. 4: ANIMAL WELFARE
Animal welfare is
at the heart of
organic systems;
better for
animals growing
our fibre
Photo: Ardalnish Farm, Isle of Mull
No. 5: CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN PRODUCTS
Our organic
textiles don’t
contain allergenic
carcinogenic or
toxic residue
chemicals
Photo: Organics for Kids
Working for
your brand
•
Independent assurance to underpin your brand values
Environmental & social responsibility for
whole supply chain
Standards and support can guide best
practice
A rigorous certification and inspection
system: Independent 3rd party trusted by
consumers
Approved products marketed with our
trusted and recognised symbol
Growing Fast - Continental Clothing
The fastest-growing Soil Association licensee is Continental
Clothing, which specialises in designing and manufacturing
t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and other items to sell wholesale to
the imprintables industry. The company doubled its product lines
and enjoyed a twelvefold increase in its turnover in SoilAssociation
certified products in 2010. It is experiencing significant demand
for high-fashion items such as lightweight jerseys, vintage-wash
products and melange-effect sportswear. Recent contracts have
included leisurewear for Tesco, tourmerchandisefor thebandPearl
Jam and promotional wear for the EDF Birmingham Marathon.
Photo:Seasalt
Seasalt Seasalt is the Soil Association’s leading organic textile
licensee in terms of turnover. It has its own range of
coastal-inspired fashion which is available through
its website and 12 stores in Cornwall, Devon, Guernsey
and
the Scilly Isles. Turnover increased by 49% in 2010, with
organic cotton accounting for around 41% of sales.
It’s got to be GOTS
Leading the way – Seasalt
The fastest-growing Soil Association licensee is
Continental
Clothing, which specialises in designing and
manufacturing
t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and other items to sell
wholesale to
the imprintables industry. The company doubled its
product lines
and enjoyed a twelvefold increase in its turnover in
SoilAssociation
certified products in 2010. It is experiencing significant
demand
for high-fashion items such as lightweight jerseys,
vintage-wash
products and melange-effect sportswear. Recent
Photo:
contracts have
Exporting Ethics - Organic for Kids
Organics for Kids has been producing organic babywear
since 2004. Its entire range is manufactured
in the UK, using organic cotton from Turkey. Turnover
increased by 40% in the year to September
2010, and further growth of 20-40% is anticipated in
2011.
“A growing awareness of issues around ethical
purchasing in the UK has been
important to our growth,” says chief executive
Jane Shepherd. “It’s clear that
consumers won’t buy something unless they like
the style, but there are many
wonderful brands out there and for those
consumers who also want to be able
to make positive ethical purchasing decisions, we
help them to do that. ““Our entire supply chain is
certified organic to Global Organic Textile
Standard,
which gives consumers the confidence to know
that from field to finished product,
the garment they buy has been ethically sourced
Photo: Soil Association
and produced.”
Organics for Kids products consist mainly of garments
No Rest For Mattress Manufacturer - Abaca
Launched in 2004, Abaca have led the way in organic
mattress manufacturer in the UK. The
company was started by Rhiannon Rowley, who had
spotted a growing trend in themarket
for textile products with impeccable green credentials.
When it came to understanding or
awareness of such a product, it was important to Abaca
that wholesale customers should
have a similar ethical approach to business. Being
choosy who they sell to has given Abaca
real credibility.
Abaca believe that this year’s 37%growth in turnover
demonstrates that even in a recession
that discerning customers will seek out goods which
have a value for them, and whether
this value comes in terms of sustainability, organic,
health or quality.
Photo:
A Growing market
There’s never been a better time for textiles to Go Organic
Worldwide market for
SACL organic
organic cotton textiles income up
worth $5.16
UK market for
635% since 2005
billion. A 20% Organic cotton
increase this year Expected to triple
From 2008 - 2012
Licensees sales
Soil Association
GOLD standard certified textiles
entire supply chain Over 2500 up 16% 09/10
social & environmental businesses * Where we have data for both periods
responsibility GOTS certified
in 55 countries
Organic Cotton figures: Organic Exchange
go for
KINDER
CLEANER
BETTER
organic
textiles
Visit us: www.soilassocation.org