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| Why
go organic?
Conventional cotton farming is
one of agriculture's most environmentally destructive
activities. The amount of pesticides and other chemicals
used in conventional practices of growing cotton
make it among the largest polluters of the environment
and affects the health of the workers using these
products. The process of transitioning traditional
cotton fields to organic takes three years to clear
the fields of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
so that the cotton can be certified as organic.
It is estimated that it takes well over two pounds
of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to produce
the cotton for one non-organic CuddlyWrap™.
The chemicals used in the processing of the cotton
fiber into yarn and fabric, and traditional dyeing,
are also harmful to the environment. Organic cotton
produces a softer, stronger product because the
cotton fibers are not subjected to harsh chemicals
in processing and dyeing. |
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| What
does "organic cotton" mean?
Organic cotton is grown using
methods and materials that have a low impact on
the environment. Organic farmers use biologically-based
rather than chemically-dependent growing systems
to raise crops. Organic production systems replenish
and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic
and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build
biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification
organizations verify that organic producers use
only methods and materials allowed in organic production.
Certification also must continue throughout all
phases of the manufacturing process. Each step must
use only materials (dyes, bleaches, etc.) that meet
organic specifications.
Organic cotton used in the production of CuddlyWraps
is inspected and certified by TDA or IFOAM accredited
agencies, such as Skal, IMO and Agreco. Low impact
reactive and vat dyes used in the fabric meet ETAD
and Oeko-Tex 100 Standards. |
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| What
does fair trade labour practice mean?
The key elements of fair trade
labour practice are:
- Child Labor - The company shall not
hire workers under the age of 15. Companies
shall not employ "young workers" during
school hours.
- Forced Labor - The company shall not
support the use of forced labour.
- Health and Safety - The company shall
provide a safe and healthy work environment
and take adequate steps to prevent accidents
and/or injuries. The company shall provide regular
health and safety worker training, establish
systems to detect threats to health and safety,
and provide access to clean and sanitary facilities
and drinkable water.
- Freedom of Association and Right to Collective
Bargaining - The company shall respect the
right to form and join trade unions and bargain
collectively.
- Discrimination - The company shall
not permit discrimination whether based on age,
race, class, origin, religion, disability, gender,
sexual orientation, union or political association.
The company will not tolerate sexual harassment.
- Discipline - The company shall not
engage in or support the use of physical punishment,
mental, or verbal abuse. The company shall not
support arbitrary pay deductions or threats
of dismissal or personal harm.
- Working Hours - The company shall act
in accordance with the applicable law with employees
required to work no more than 48 hours per week.
Overtime work should not exceed 12 hours per
week. Overtime work should be voluntary and
should be paid at a premium rate. The company
will provide at least one day off per week for
all employees.
- Compensation - The company shall ensure
that wages paid for a standard work week must
meet the legal and industry standards and be
sufficient to meet the basic needs of workers
and their families. Deductions from wages must
not be made for disciplinary purposes.
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| What
do companies need to do to qualify for SA 8000
certification?
In order to qualify for SA 8000
certification, facilities seeking certification
must go beyond simple compliance to integrate the
standard into their management systems:
- The company shall ensure that its policy
for social accountability complies with SA 8000
and other applicable law and international requirements;
- The company should appoint a representative
to ensure the requirements of SA 8000 are in
place, and periodically review operations to
ensure requirements are met;
- The company shall ensure the requirements
of SA 8000 are implemented and understood at
all levels within the organization;
- The company shall put in place appropriate
policies and procedures to meet the requirements
of SA 8000 and maintain appropriate records;
- The company shall investigate and respond
to concerns of employees or interested parties
and take necessary action to correct any non-compliance
with the requirements of SA 8000.
Companies who wish to apply for SA 8000 certification
must ensure that they, and those organizations operating
as their suppliers, meet these 9 requirements. |
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| Links
for more information on organic cotton and fair
trade labour production of the
CuddlyWrap™
Throughout the world, there is
a growing awareness of the need to protect the Earth
and the health and well-being of its’ people.
Our farming and manufacturing methods can no longer
compromise the environment we pass on to our children
and grandchildren.
National
Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Sustainable
Cotton Project
Organic
Exchange
Organic
Trade Association
Quality
Associates International
Oeko-Tex |
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