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Testing of Organic Cotton in OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100  includes an optional genetically modified organism (GMO) check for cotton and cotton products. The result of the test is a yes/no declaration that confirms whether the material sample contains genetically modified cotton. 

The GMO test in OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is mandatory if you want  “organic cotton” to be stated in the certificate text on the STANDARD 100 certificate. Organic Cotton must be certified separately from other cotton. The GMO test is optional for all other certifications in accordance with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. The test is performed in two steps: 

1. The sample is shredded and the cotton fibers are mechanically and enzymatically degraded. The genetic material (DNA) is isolated from the fiber and purified in a multi-stage process. 

2. If the DNA contains specific marker genes, it is classified as a genetic modification. These genes can be identified on a molecular-biological level. Control reactions are used to prove that the cotton DNA is unmodified and exclude false-negative results. 

STANDARD 100 GMO at a glance

Validity

If you have successfully undergone the certification process for STANDARD 100 GMO, you can label your products accordingly for 12 months.

Costs

License fees are charged for the certification. Depending on the amount of testing involved, this includes the laboratory costs and costs for visits to your company. Our institutes will be happy to make you a non-binding offer.

Extension

You can request an extension of your STANDARD 100 GMO certificate at any time from your responsible institute.

Continuity

As holder of a STANDARD 100 GMO certificate, you agree to undergo regular audits by our independent testing institutes. The mandatory company visits take place in a 3-year cycle.

Your benefits as a manufacturer 

  • You get a clear yes/no statement indicating whether your cotton product contains genetically modified cotton 

  • You have the advantage that the test can be performed at any stage from the raw cotton to the finished product. 

  • You benefit from the fact that the molecular-biological verification systems have been optimized especially for cotton products. 
  • Reliable GMO testing results help you to minimize the various risks along your supply chain, including:  

    • Mixing of conventional and organic seeds 

    • Contamination from neighbouring cultivation areas 

    • Contamination from internal processing methods 

    • Incomplete traceability of the organic cotton 

5 steps to a successful certification

  1. Complete the  application form.  
  2. The selected OEKO-TEX® institute will get in touch.  
  3. After examining your documents, we define the scope of the audit and success parameters. We then test your articles for compliance of the limit values according to STANDARD 100 GMO.  
  4. If your product has successfully passed the laboratory test, you receive the STANDARD 100 GMO certificate together with a detailed test report from your OEKO-TEX® institute.  
  5. An OEKO-TEX® expert visits your site in order to confirm all the details.