India tops in introducing national standards for organic textiles

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SME Times News Bureau | 31 Jul, 2012
India becomes the only country in the world to introduce "Indian Standards for Organic Textiles" (ISOT), at the national level, informed government on Monday.

Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textile Anand Sharma Monday launched the - Indian Standards for Organic Textiles (ISOT), these certification standards are being introduced in National Standards for Organic Production (NPOP) at the national level under the legal regime administered by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry as part of the Foreign Trade Policy.

Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The demand for organic products such as tea, spices, honey, basmati rice, coffee, cereals, dry fruits, vegetables, garments, processed foods and medicinal plants has been steadily growing in recent years as consumers' prefer green products free from chemical residues.

"India has been a potential supplier of all categories of organic products to the world and exports are growing at an average pace of 30 percent over the past five years. There are more than 1000 branded organic products produced in India and each one is backed up with certification and traceability. Last year India supplied certified organic products to various countries in Europe, Asia and US of Value Rs.1866 crores," said Anand Sharma, while releasing the ISOT at a function organized by APEDA in New Delhi on Monday.

The National Standards for Organic Production (NPOP) includes norms for organic production and processing of agriculture crops and certification standards. "Certification standards for organic textiles were not a part of the certification process under NPOP earlier. By introducing ISOT, India took over the long-standing position of the Global Organic Textiles standards (GOTS), a private standards prevailing in the organic textiles industry," said S.R. Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce.

India has also the distinction of being the only Country in the World to have introduced Organic Textile standards at the National Level, he added.

"Today, the European Commission, Switzerland recognizes NPOP Standards to be equivalent to their standards and USA recognizes the conformity assessment procedures of India (1SO -17011) to be equivalent to their country standards resulting great acceptance for Indian Organic Products in the major markets. India is negotiating with Japan and Canada for equivalence," said Asit Tripathy, Chairman APEDA speaking on the occasion.

"Export is a mainstay of organic marketing and is to be expanded further to reach a volume of USD one billion by 2015," he added.

On this occasion a organic fashion show was organized by APEDA, showcasing the products of artisans from different parts of the country producing fabrics using organic fibers and dyes.