Fabrics and labels

All Okimono articles are produced as environmentally conscious as possible and according to European laws and regulations and have one or more certificates for materials. We list them below.

ECO COTTON & GOTS

All our T-shirts, hoodies, sweaters, and aprons are manufactured under the Global Organic Textile Standard, GOTS. This is an international label for organic textiles and guarantees that production is done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner with additional product quality requirements. The standards apply to the entire chain (not in the agricultural phase) from the harvesting of raw materials to labeling. Thus, the label guarantees the end-user an honest and credible product.

ECO COTTON
The requirements for organic natural fibers are laid down in European rules. No synthetic plant protection products are used during cultivation, no genetically modified organisms, and no artificial fertilizers.
Cotton, wool, silk, flax, and hemp can be grown organically; cotton is most often grown organically. (Source: Certification guide, Milieu Centraal)
Unlike 'regular' cotton, organic cotton is grown without pesticides or other agricultural poisons. Organic cotton farmers work with organic manure and use natural crop protection methods. Crop rotation with other crops is mandatory, reducing the incidence of soil-borne diseases and insect pests. There are no direct requirements to allow or prohibit cotton cultivation in water-scarce areas, but there must be a water management plan.

The demand for organic cotton is increasing, but only about 0.2% of all cotton produced is organic. It is difficult to compare different types of fabrics in terms of their environmental impact, but cotton clearly stands out in a negative light: Cotton cultivation requires a great deal of water, pesticides, and energy. One cotton T-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water. Cotton production is responsible for 2.6% of global water consumption. Half of all textiles are made of cotton. (Source: Awearness Fashion)

Cotton has been labeled the most valuable non-food agricultural product and the world's most nasty crop. Vomiting, paralysis, incontinence, coma, seizures, and even death are some of the many side effects farmers and children in third world countries suffer when regularly exposed to pesticides, many of which are banned or restricted in the West. With over 90% of the world's cotton farmers living in developing countries, these pesticides are used in areas where illiteracy is high and safety awareness low, resulting in harmful risks to people and the environment: "The dangers that poor, illiterate children and farmers have to live with to keep our clothes cheap is unacceptable." (source: Environmental Justice Foundation, Steve Trent)

SYNTHETIC FIBERS, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, ISO, UNI

All materials for our cycling gear have OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and/or (UNI) ISO certifications, and the small textile items in our cotton articles also comply with OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a globally consistent, independent testing system for harmful substances in raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels and for haberdashery. These include natural, dyed, and finished yarns, woven and knitted fabrics, and haberdasheries such as buttons, nails, aglet rings, and sewing thread.

ISO
The International Organization for Standardization ISO is an independent organization made up of 164 national standardization bodies that deal with the development and publication of international standards. Relevant certifications for Okimono are:
- ISO 9001 helps ensure that consumers receive consistent, good-quality products and services.
- ISO 14001 helps organizations meet their own sustainability goals through more efficient use of resources and materials and waste reduction.
- With ISO 50001, companies strengthen their energy management systems.<

UNI AND ISO
UNI is responsible for developing, managing, and representing Italian (ISO) certifications. This organization is explicitly mentioned on the certificates for the vegan leather of the cycling clothing.