OIA Eco Working Group/Social Responsibility Working Group

Grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or defoliants at any point during its growing season and for animal fibers no feed treated with synthetic chemical pesticides or fertilizers, with restricted use of antibiotics and growth hormones, and according to strict animal husbandry guidelines.

Certified organic is grown on land that has been free of synthetic chemicals for at least three years and has been inspected annually by a third party accredited agency. 

To make the organic claim, a company must be able to demonstrate that the fiber used in a product was purchased from an organic grower that has been certified according to the USDA NOP standard and/or the EU 2091/92 and/or IFOAM organic standard.  The wholesaler/retailer must label the products in accordance with the labeling requirements contained in these standards.

The fiber must be tracked from the farm to the finished garment in order to ensure the organic fiber makes it into the product.