C&A Re-Confirms it’s commitment to Organic Cotton Clothing

C&A - The major high street organic clothing retailer have said in a statement issued in eco textile news that “C&A remains committed to being one of the leading textile retailers in the market for organic clothing,” as they continue to believe that “a growing number of our customers are interested not just in up to date fashion that offers value for money.

“The high demand for textiles made from organic cotton also shows the customers’ high regard for a sustainable quality of textiles as well as a sustainable development in the cotton growing industry.”

This commitment comes following the claims made in the German Financial Times about contamination of Organic Cotton with Genetically Modified Strains. C&A also revealed that it was currently undertaking an in-depth investigation into the allegations made in the paper.

“We have contacted the certifying authorities and are actively investigating the validity of the details of the report. We will conduct an immediate in-depth-investigation on site in India,” the company said.

Certified standards for organic or ‘Bio-Cotton’ as it is known in certain European markets require that no genetically modified cotton seeds are used in its cultivation. “Accredited certification agencies have the responsibility to ensure that this is the case,” concluded C&A . The investigation continues, it is likely that the accrediting bodies will be coming under fire with much pressure from retailers globally to ensure that the matter is in hand.

Purity of H&M Organic Clothing Under Fire

H&M the high street clothing chain, have come under fire for reports that their eco conscious organic clothing may be contaminated with GM strains of Cotton from India.

According to German Independent lab Impetus, roughly a third of cotton samples tested contained genetically modified cotton. This was traced back to India, which is responsible for more than half of the global supply of organic cotton which is used by H&M and many other clothing manufacturers worldwide.

Monika Buening of the Federal Consumer Affairs Agency has said that although H&M are not to blame directly they should have been more vigilant. This is an issue now for the entire organic cotton industry and will need to be addressed by all manufacturers in order to retain confidence of the market. buyOrganics will be issuing requests to all its organic clothing suppliers requesting further information and clarification on the matter. This may involve checking samples from other labs to substantiate whether the claims are true, and having more independent tests done. The majority of clothiing at buyOrganics is Bamboo with very few lines being made of organic cotton.