Latest news with #GOTS
The Print
5 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Congress seeks court-monitored CBI probe into organic cotton ‘scam' in MP
Addressing a press conference here, Singh alleged that the scam is estimated to be of the tune of Rs 2.1 lakh crore in the name of selling normally produced cotton as organic cotton. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh alleged that India's image is being hurt globally as the country has lost credibility in the certification of organic products. New Delhi, Jul 26 (PTI) The Congress on Saturday demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into an alleged scam in the sale of normal cotton as organic cotton in Madhya Pradesh. There was no immediate comment available from the Madhya Pradesh government. Giving details, Singh said that in 2001, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), which is implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). He said its objective is to certify and regulate the export of organic products. Under this framework, NPOP accredits certification bodies (CBs), which in turn verify internal control systems (ICS). The ICSs are groups of 25 to 500 farmers who grow organic cotton. As of 2025, there are approximately 6,046 ICSs and 35 CBs. Singh, however, alleged that most farmers who are shown as registered under ICSs are neither growing organic cotton nor are they aware of their presence in the system. 'In short, ICS groups have deliberately committed fraud by adding farmers' names to obtain transaction certificates,' Singh alleged. With the result, he claimed, while the farmers struggle to get fair prices for their produce, some powerful traders are selling non-organic (Bt) cotton as 'organic', earning up to six times the profit. While these exporters are also committing massive tax and GST evasion, at the international level, he claimed that India is now being seen as a 'hub of fraud in the organic market', leading to cancellations of recognition by global agencies. He also claimed that raids on just two commercial entities uncovered Rs 750 crore in GST evasion, revealing a Rs 7,500 crore scam from just these two, as tax evasion accounted for only 5 per cent of the total fraud amount. Referring to the international fallout, the former chief minister claimed that in October 2020, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) caught 'fake transaction certificates' in India, banned 11 companies, and revoked the accreditation of a major certifier. In June 2021, the USDA (USA) ended India's automatic recognition for organic certification, Singh claimed, while revealing that in November 2021, the EU cancelled the recognition of five Indian certifiers due to restricted chemicals found in supposedly organic products. Singh said on August 27, 2024, he highlighted the organic cotton fraud in Madhya Pradesh through a letter to the prime minister. The Congress leader demanded the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) led by the CBI under the supervision of a sitting high court judge. Seeking transparent inspections by the certifying bodies, he also demanded fair compensation for the exploited farmers. PTI SKC ARI This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
Congress seeks court-monitored CBI probe into organic cotton scam in MP
New Delhi, Jul 26 (PTI) The Congress on Saturday demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into an alleged scam in the sale of normal cotton as organic cotton in Madhya Pradesh. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh alleged that India's image is being hurt globally as the country has lost credibility in the certification of organic products. Addressing a press conference here, Singh alleged that the scam is estimated to be of the tune of Rs 2.1 lakh crore in the name of selling normally produced cotton as organic cotton. There was no immediate comment available from the Madhya Pradesh government. Giving details, Singh said that in 2001, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), which is implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). He said its objective is to certify and regulate the export of organic products. Under this framework, NPOP accredits certification bodies (CBs), which in turn verify internal control systems (ICS). The ICSs are groups of 25 to 500 farmers who grow organic cotton. As of 2025, there are approximately 6,046 ICSs and 35 CBs. Singh, however, alleged that most farmers who are shown as registered under ICSs are neither growing organic cotton nor are they aware of their presence in the system. 'In short, ICS groups have deliberately committed fraud by adding farmers' names to obtain transaction certificates," Singh alleged. With the result, he claimed, while the farmers struggle to get fair prices for their produce, some powerful traders are selling non-organic (Bt) cotton as 'organic', earning up to six times the profit. While these exporters are also committing massive tax and GST evasion, at the international level, he claimed that India is now being seen as a 'hub of fraud in the organic market", leading to cancellations of recognition by global agencies. He also claimed that raids on just two commercial entities uncovered Rs 750 crore in GST evasion, revealing a Rs 7,500 crore scam from just these two, as tax evasion accounted for only 5 per cent of the total fraud amount. Referring to the international fallout, the former chief minister claimed that in October 2020, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) caught 'fake transaction certificates" in India, banned 11 companies, and revoked the accreditation of a major certifier. In June 2021, the USDA (USA) ended India's automatic recognition for organic certification, Singh claimed, while revealing that in November 2021, the EU cancelled the recognition of five Indian certifiers due to restricted chemicals found in supposedly organic products. Singh said on August 27, 2024, he highlighted the organic cotton fraud in Madhya Pradesh through a letter to the prime minister. The Congress leader demanded the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) led by the CBI under the supervision of a sitting high court judge. Seeking transparent inspections by the certifying bodies, he also demanded fair compensation for the exploited farmers. PTI SKC ARI view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 00:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Fashion Value Chain
18-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Eurofins Assurance India Earns GOTS & Textile Exchange Nod
Eurofins Assurance has announced that its India office has been accredited by IOAS as a Certification Body for Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Textile Exchange certification schemes. These globally recognised programs support sustainable practices in textiles by ensuring traceability of organic and recycled materials while promoting transparency across supply chains. Following rigorous evaluation, IOAS has approved multiple Eurofins offices for these certification programs. With this recognition, Eurofins Assurance India is now equipped to provide certification services across Asia and Europe, with plans to expand further. Approved standards include: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Textile Exchange GRS (Global Recycled Standard) OCS (Organic Content Standard) RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) CCS (Content Claim Standard) Benefits for Buyers and Suppliers Achieving GOTS and Textile Exchange certifications offers significant advantages — from increased transparency of raw material origins to better chain-of-custody risk management. These internationally recognised certifications also enhance brand trust and consumer confidence through verified product claims and adherence to rigorous protocols. Digital Efficiency with Impact Trace Eurofins is also developing Impact Trace, a digital platform designed to streamline the certification process. The platform enables efficient management of bookings, documentation, audit progress tracking, report access, and issuance of Transaction Certificates—all in one user-friendly interface. Trusted Network and Expertise Eurofins Assurance has a network of trained auditors across key manufacturing hubs and extensive experience in third-party audits and verification, ensuring prompt support for certification setup and compliance. Eurofins Assurance India Pvt. Ltd. also holds ISO 17065:2012 accreditation from IOAS for the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) under the Textile Exchange scheme. For more details on the certification process and requirements, visit the official Eurofins Assurance India website.
Tom's Guide
17-07-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
How to choose an organic mattress that's actually eco-friendly, according to a sustainability expert
It's estimated that Americans throw away 18.2 million mattresses a year into landfills, where these beds can take hundreds of years to decompose and emit toxic chemicals. With that sobering fact in mind, you may be planning to make your next mattress an organic one. Thanks to their high-quality materials and support, sustainable mattresses appear in both our best mattress 2025 guide and our best organic mattress guide. However, like a lot of products that claim eco-friendly benefits, some mattresses may just be using eco-friendly buzzwords to jump on the sustainability wagon. That's why we've asked sustainability guru Kathryn Kellogg, founder of Going Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, to tell us how to choose an organic mattress without the greenwashing gimmicks. According to Kellogg, the first thing to do when choosing an eco-friendly mattress is to know what type of materials it should be made from. "The best eco-friendly mattresses use natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton," says the plastic-free advocate. "Natural latex offers incredible comfort and durability without the synthetic chemicals." Kellogg also highlights both the practical and comfort benefits of organic wool. "Wool naturally regulates temperature and acts as a fire barrier, and organic cotton keeps things soft and breathable," she tells us. Memory foam is found in both the best memory foam mattress and the best hybrid mattresses, but Kellogg says you should avoid this material if you want your bed to be entirely sustainable. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "Avoid synthetic memory foams and polyurethane-based mattresses, especially if they don't disclose what's inside," she explains. "Many are treated with flame retardants or adhesives that can off-gas for years and aren't recyclable at end of life." While it can be easy to fall for catchwords such as "green" and "sustainable", Kellogg says it's important to stay focused on concrete credentials that prove the mattress really is better for the planet. "Look beyond buzzwords like 'natural' or 'eco'," says the sustainability author. "Instead, look for third-party certifications like GOTS for organic textiles, GOLS for organic latex, or MADE SAFE which ensure low toxins and safe indoor air quality." The best mattresses in the box have dominated online bed shopping, and a lot of them are brought to you by eco-luxury brands. However, with more "sustainable" brands appearing out of nowhere, it can be hard to know which ones are making a solid commitment to using eco-friendly materials. "Brands like Avocado and Naturepedic are generally solid options, backed by certifications and a real commitment to transparency," Kelloggs says. "Birch leans into more natural materials too, though it's less customizable." A post shared by The Futon Shop (@the_futon_shop) A photo posted by on Kellogg also has a preference for a San Francisco-based family-owned business. "I love my mattress from the Futon Shop," she reveals. "They handcraft mattresses, futons, and sofas using locally sourced organic materials like GOTS/GOLS-certified latex, wool, cotton, coconut coir, and hemp with zero petrochemicals or polyurethane foam." Okay, so you've found an organic mattress that uses materials like organic cotton, wool and natural latex. Now all you need to do is make sure the comfort and support is right for you. You can find more information for finding the right bed in our guide on how to choose a mattress for your sleep position, but here's a quick breakdown:
Fashion Network
16-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Global Standard to announce new voluntary sustainability standard in Q4
Global Standard, the non-profit organisation behind the internationally-recognised Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), has launchd a public consultation period for its new 'voluntary sustainability standard', the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). The new standard will be announced in Q4 and the body said GRTS 'aims to extend the same principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care' to a broader range of fibres. While GOTS 'remains the global benchmark for organic textiles, GRTS 'will enable companies using other responsible fibres to credibly demonstrate both environmental and social performance under the same trusted system'. While GOTS is now implemented in over 15,000 certified facilities across 87 countries, GRTS builds on that foundation, marking a 'key milestone in advancing the mission to drive the highest levels of social and environmental impact across the textile value chain through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities'. Global Standard said GRTS is designed to 'help the textile industry drive positive change across the entire value chain', enabling companies 'to respond to rising market expectations and comply with emerging regulatory requirements without adding unnecessary complexity or cost'. Rahul Bhajekar and Claudia Kersten, managing directors of Global Standard, added: 'This expansion… empowers us to maintain minimal fees in our non-profit set-up, as we are dedicated to avoiding additional burdens on the industry's sustainability measures. 'On the one hand, the GOTS framework will now serve as a foundation for broader applications, while on the other, it continues to stand as the leading voluntary sustainability standard in the organic textile sector.'
