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OTC
OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton
Global · Tier 2 Trusted
Bio-Siegel (Germany) logo
Bio-Siegel (Germany)
Germany · Tier 1 Gold
Global Organic Textile Standard logo
Global Organic Textile Standard
Global · Tier 2 Trusted
What it meansLaunched April 2023 by the OEKO-TEX Association. A separate certificate from Standard 100 that combines the Standard 100 chemical-residue test with verified organic-cotton supply chain — addressing the long-standing confusion that Standard 100 alone is NOT an organic mark.Germany's national organic mark, owned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Sits alongside the EU Leaf on most German organic packaging since 2001. Same standard as the EU Leaf — Bio-Siegel is the brand consumers recognise.The strictest, most widely-recognised standard for organic textiles. Covers the full supply chain from organic fibre to finished garment, with environmental AND social criteria.
ScopeTextilesFoodTextiles
Established202320012002
InspectionAnnual on-site by OEKO-TEX-accredited institute (Hohenstein et al.)Annual on-site by EU-accredited German control bodyAnnual on-site, IOAS-accredited
Residue testingRequired (Standard 100 panel + GMO/pesticide screening)Risk-basedRequired for finished products
Guarantees
  • Two grades: 'Organic Cotton' (100% certified-organic cotton) and 'Organic Cotton Blended' (≥70% certified-organic cotton).
  • Full Standard 100 chemical residue test on the finished product.
  • Additional GMO test + pesticide residue test specific to organic farming.
  • Verified chain of custody from farm to finished product.
  • Annual re-certification with independent OEKO-TEX institute audits.
  • EU baseline organic (EU 2018/848).
  • Annual on-site inspection by accredited German certifier.
  • ≥70% certified-organic natural fibre (the 'organic' grade requires ≥95%).
  • Restricted dyes, no chlorine bleach, no formaldehyde, no banned heavy metals.
  • Wastewater treatment requirements.
  • Social standards based on ILO core conventions (no child labour, no forced labour, fair wages, safe workplace).
  • Annual on-site inspection by IOAS-accredited certifier.
Does NOT
  • Doesn't certify the social/labour conditions across the supply chain in the way GOTS does (use OEKO-TEX STeP for that, or pair with GOTS).
  • Cotton-only — doesn't apply to other organic fibres (wool, hemp, linen).
  • Same standard as the EU Leaf — not stricter.
  • Doesn't cover non-textile components (zips, buttons, prints) beyond the chemical-restriction list.

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Compare certifications · Organic.is