National Certification “Indian Standards for Organic Textiles” (ISOT) to augment demand: Central Government

Objective of launching Indian Standards for Organic Textiles (ISOT):

· To boost the demand for organic textiles in major markets, including Europe and Japan, the Union government launched National Certification Standards for organic textiles.

· National Certification Standards to take over the long-standing position of the Global Organic Textiles standards (GOTS), which are private standards prevailing in the organic textiles industry.

With this step, India became the only country in the world to have introduced organic textiles standards at the national level.

ISOT launched by Commerce, Industry and Textiles Ministry will be included under the National Programme for Organic Productions (NPOP).

The NPOP includes standards for organic production and processing of agriculture crops along with certification standards. Under this, all organic products are produced under a system of agriculture without the using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Why the need for ISOT?

· Earlier, when there was no such certification, private norms existed in the country for organic textiles. The private standards were not in accordance with the international standards. It was, therefore, imperative for India to introduce the National Certification Standards  to take over the long-standing position of the Global Organic Textiles standards (GOTS), which are private standards prevailing in the organic textiles industry. 

· India presently produces more than 1000 branded organic products which are supported by certification.

· The demand for Indian organic products such as tea, coffee, spices, basmati rice, cereals, garment, vegetables and medicinal plants was found to be continuously rising in recent years as consumers’ have a preference for products which are free from chemical residues.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2012