OCS Certification : Organic Content Standard

What is OCS Certification: Organic Content Standard ?

The OCS certification, or Organic Content Standard, is a voluntary international standard defining the requirements for organic material certification and traceability by a third party. Its purpose is to promote the increase of organic production.

This food certification is applicable to the entire range of textile products, with a predominance for organic cotton. It not only certifies the organic content of the textile but also ensures the traceability of the material supply and the finished product placed on the market.

Only materials from organically certified farms, in accordance with the IFOAM family standards, are accepted under the OCS certification. This ensures the integrity of the biological fibers, their non-contamination by chemical substances and their non-mixing with conventional fibers throughout the production process.

Recognized by Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable development in the textile industry, OCS certification is supported by this organization. Textile Exchange offers the necessary resources, including documents and training, to acquire and maintain this certification.

Beyond valuing organic textiles, OCS certification provides quality assurance to consumers and contributes to environmental protection. It also opens the doors of the global market for organic fibres to organic farmers.

Which organizations offer OCS certification ?

OCS certification, a recognized international standard, is managed by various independent and accredited certification bodies. These entities are essential in the textile verification process, ensuring that from the production of organic fibers to final distribution, each step meets the criteria of the OCS standard. They are also the issuers of OCS certificates and logos for companies that meet these requirements.

Textile Exchange

Textile Exchange : A non-profit organization behind the creation and management of the OCS standard, is dedicated to promoting sustainable development within the textile industry. It offers comprehensive support (providing documents, resources, and training) to facilitate obtaining and maintaining OCS certification, while facilitating collaboration between various participants in the organic textile value chain, including farmers, manufacturers, brands, and retailers.

Accredited certification bodies

Audits and evaluations necessary to certify textile products according to the OCS standard are carried out by accredited certification bodies. These independent and impartial bodies must adhere to the principles of ISO/IEC 17065, which establishes the basic standards for product certification.

These accredited organizations include :

• Certification Control Union  
• Ecocert  
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)  
• OneCert  
• Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)
• Soil Association Certification

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Recognized by Textile Exchange, these organizations have the authority to award OCS certificates and logos to compliant companies. They also play an important role in monitoring the application of OCS standards by certified companies, intervening with corrective measures if necessary.

OCS certification criteria for each organic textile sector

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) certification concerns all stakeholders in the organic textile sector: from producers to retailers. The criteria vary depending on your position in the value chain. Let’s discover the main requirements for each category:

Organic producers

As a producer of organic raw materials (cotton, wool, linen, hemp), you must be certified according to a standard recognized by IFOAM, integrated into the OCS certification. It is imperative to record the quantities produced and sold of these materials, and to be able to justify their organic origin through official documents.

Textile processors and manufacturers

Processors and manufacturers are required to obtain OCS certification by an accredited entity. Following the chain of custody is essential, which includes :

• Clear separation and identification of biological materials from conventional materials throughout the manufacturing process.  
• The use of chemicals approved by the OCS standard, while avoiding any contamination of the biological.  
• Keeping a register detailing the flows (receipt, use, sale) of organic materials, with supporting documentation for buyers.  
• The affixing of the OCS logo on certified textiles, mentioning the percentage of organic content.

Textile distributors and retailers

Distributors and retailers aiming to communicate on the organic content of their products must also comply with the OCS standard via a specific certification. They must :

• Check the validity of OCS certificates and logos on purchased items.  
• Document the volumes of OCS certified products received and sold, providing proof of their organic content.  
• Correctly use the OCS logo on the appropriate items, clearly indicating the percentage of organic materials.  
• Adopt transparent communication that complies with the OCS guidelines for claiming organic content.

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You can contact us to support you in your OCS certification and benefit from preferential rates thanks to our network of partners.

What are the steps to obtain an OCS certification ?

To obtain OCS certification, a well-defined process must be followed that begins with the application for certification and continues until periodic renewal. Key steps in this process are outlined below :

Request for certification

The initial step is to choose an accredited certification body for the OCS standard, such as Ecocert, and send it a certification request. This approach requires providing a set of information about your company, industry, products, and suppliers. It is also important to specify the certification level (OCS 100 or OCS blended) and the desired OCS logo for your products.

Audit on site

The second step involves an on-site audit by an auditor of the certification body. This visit aims to verify the conformity of your products, procedures and documents with the specific criteria of the OCS standard. In particular, the auditor will examine the traceability of organic materials, the use of chemicals, compliance with labelling and communication standards, and the implementation of an internal management system. The duration of this audit varies depending on the size and complexity of your business.

Decision to certify

After the audit, the certification body will evaluate the results and any corrective measures applied. If your company meets the requirements of the OCS standard, you will get an OCS certificate and logo, both valid for one year. You will then have the opportunity to promote your OCS certified products and highlight their organic quality.

Monitoring and Renewal

The last step involves keeping your OCS certification active. This means continuously meeting the requirements of the OCS standard, collaborating with the certification body, updating your records and documents, informing the body of any changes in your company or products, and participate in regular monitoring audits. In addition, it is necessary to renew your OCS certification before it expires, going through the certification process again.

How much does an OCS certification cost ?

The OCS certification represents an investment whose cost can fluctuate according to various factors, such as the number of sites concerned by the audit, the desired level of certification, the nature of the products, as well as their production volume. It is important to note that there is no standard price for obtaining OCS certification, but an estimate can be made taking into account the following aspects:

Application fees

Application fees are the first financial consideration. They represent the amount to be paid to submit your certification application to an accredited certification body. This includes the administrative expenses required to manage your file.

These fees are usually charged only once, upon initial submission of the certification request. Although they may vary slightly from one organization to another, they usually range between 100 and 300 euros.

Audit costs

The audit fee comes next. It is the amount charged for the audit to be performed on site by a certified auditor. This includes expenses for travel, accommodation, catering, and time spent by the auditor.

These fees are applicable for each audit performed, whether to obtain initial certification, for surveillance audits or during recertification. Their cost varies according to the duration, the complexity of the audit and the geographical location, but generally amounts to between 500 and 1500 euros per day of audit.

Certification fees

Finally, the certification fee includes the cost associated with the certification body issuing the OCS certificate and logo. This includes assessments, decision-making, and monitoring of the certification file. These fees are charged on an annual basis, as long as the certification is active.

The amount of these fees can fluctuate depending on the level of certification desired, the type and volume of certified products, but it usually oscillates between 500 and 2000 euros per year.

The total cost for obtaining and maintaining OCS certification in the first year can therefore be estimated at between 1100 and 3800 euros, and between 1000 and 3500 euros for subsequent years. These values are indicative and may vary depending on specific situations.

For a personalized quote, do not hesitate to contact the certification body of your choice, or contact us to offer you adapted and economical solutions for your OCS certification.

How long does it take to get an OCS certification ?

Obtaining an OCS certification varies depending on several factors such as the size and complexity of the business, the number of sites to audit, and the certification body selected. The average time required for each phase of the process is as follows:

Request for certification

To get started, contact an accredited certification body like Ecocert, and submit your certification request. It will be necessary to provide details about your company, industry, products, and suppliers. You will also choose the certification level (OCS 100 or OCS blended) and the OCS logo to display on your products. This phase can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the responsiveness of the certification body and the completeness of your file.

Audit on site

Then, an auditor will check whether your products, procedures and documents meet the criteria of the OCS standard. It will examine the traceability of biological materials, the use of chemicals, compliance with labelling and communication rules, as well as your internal management system. The duration of the on-site audit depends on the size and complexity of the company and can range from a few hours to several days. This process may take weeks to months, depending on auditor availability and audit planning.

Decision to certify

After the audit, the certification body will assess the results and any corrective actions that may be implemented. If your company meets the requirements of the OCS standard, you will receive an OCS certificate and logo, usually valid for one year. You will then be able to promote your OCS certified products. This can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the effectiveness of the certification body and the quality of your audit.

The total time to obtain an OCS certification usually varies between 2 and 6 months. This period is indicative and may differ according to specific situations.

For a personalized quote and a provisional schedule, you can contact directly the certification body of your choice or turn to Yvea, partner of Textile Exchange, which offers tailor-made and advantageous solutions for OCS certification.

Is there a renewal to be done regarding the OCS certification ?

OCS certification is granted for a limited period of time, often one year. To renew this certification, it is imperative to strictly follow the guidelines of the OCS standard and work closely with the certifying body. The following are the key requirements for OCS recertification:

Maintain records, documents and labels

OCS certification holders must ensure that records, documents and labels for certified products are regularly updated. It is crucial that these elements ensure complete traceability and preserve the integrity of organic materials at every stage of production. In addition, these documents must meet the standards set by the certification body and the OCS standard itself.

Communicate any changes to the business or products

It is essential that any material changes related to the activity or products under OCS certification be reported immediately to the certification body. This includes the addition or removal of sites, suppliers, products, or processes, as well as notification of any non-conformities, claims, or disputes related to OCS certification.

Participate in planned monitoring audits

Regular audits carried out by the certification body make it possible to ensure that the criteria of the OCS standard are constantly respected and to identify any anomalies. Although these audits are typically annual, their frequency can be adjusted according to the level of risk determined by the certification body.

Renew the OCS certification before it expires

Before the certification deadline, it is necessary to initiate the renewal procedure by following the steps initially established for obtaining certification. This includes contacting the certification body, submitting a renewal request, conducting an on-site audit, taking corrective action if necessary, and finally, issuing a new OCS certificate and logo.

By respecting these various conditions, OCS certification holders can guarantee the renewal of their certification and continue to promote and sell their certified products, while highlighting their organic composition.