Skip to content
Organic.is
All certifications
Side-by-side

Compare certifications.

Up to four certifications, side by side. Choose which ones

 
OTC
OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton
Global · Tier 2 Trusted
Bio Suisse 'Knospe' (Bud) logo
Bio Suisse 'Knospe' (Bud)
Switzerland · Tier 2 Trusted
EU Organic (Euro-Leaf) logo
EU Organic (Euro-Leaf)
European Union · Tier 1 Gold
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.The Swiss organic farmers' federation mark. The Knospe (Bud) is the dominant organic mark in Swiss supermarkets and operates to standards stricter than the Swiss federal organic ordinance.The mandatory mark for any pre-packaged organic food sold in the EU. The 'Euro-Leaf' is a stylised leaf made of twelve white stars on a green background.
ScopeTextilesFoodFood
Established202319812010
InspectionAnnual on-site by OEKO-TEX-accredited institute (Hohenstein et al.)Annual on-site, bio.inspecta accreditedAnnual on-site by accredited control body in producer country
Residue testingRequired (Standard 100 panel + GMO/pesticide screening)RequiredRisk-based; mandatory at higher-risk operations
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.
  • Whole-farm conversion.
  • Lower nitrogen inputs than the Swiss federal organic baseline.
  • Strong animal welfare requirements.
  • Annual on-site inspection.
  • At least 95% of agricultural ingredients are organic (regulation EU 2018/848).
  • No synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, no GMOs.
  • Animal welfare standards (outdoor access, lower stocking density, no routine antibiotics).
  • Annual inspection by an accredited control body in the producing member state.
  • Mandatory display of the certifier's code and origin (e.g. 'EU Agriculture' / 'Non-EU Agriculture').
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).
  • Switzerland is outside the EU — the Knospe is recognised by the EU under the Switzerland-EU equivalence agreement, but not by USDA without further certification.
  • Doesn't ban the natural pesticides allowed under the regulation (copper sulphate, spinosad).
  • Doesn't certify processed-food additives beyond the EU's permitted list.

Choose up to 4 (3 chosen)

Stay in the loop

Get notified when we publish new articles, updates, and organic guides. No spam, just honest content, straight to your inbox.

Compare certifications · Organic.is