Glossary

The physical contact between unpackaged organically produced and non-organically produced textile fibres during production, transportation, handling or storage as determined by a certifying agent.

A compostable material is one that is capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the material is not visually distinguishable and breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds.

The conversion period is the time between the start of organic management and the certification of crops and/or animal husbandry as organic. Note: these conversion periods differ between NOP and the EU 2092/91 and JAS legislation.

CSR is an acronym for corporate and social responsibility which details the recognition and implementation of environmental and social strategy within companies. Sometimes manifests as a budget to support those working with sympathetic issues, such as social enterprises or environmental groups and projects.

Products from producers who have been paid a fair price and who’s working and often living conditions can therefore improve. Labelling and assurance is recognised and supported by customers. This leads to sustainable communities and sustainable trade chains and is usually associated with many other aspects of environmental improvement at local levels.

A GMO is a Genetically Modified Organism. These organisms are not allowed in organic agricultural products and the organic standards outlined in this tool.

GOTS stands for the Global Organic Textile Standard. GOTS is a third-party voluntary standard which aims to define requirements to ensure the organic status of textiles from raw material up to product labelling.

Heavy metals are generally interpreted to include those metals with a specific gravity that is at least 5 times the specific gravity of water. Metals often mentioned from a toxicity standpoint include antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, gallium, gold, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, platinum, silver, tellurium, thallium, tin, uranium and vanadium.

A herbicide is used to control a specific weed species, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often synthetic mimics of natural plant hormones. Unlike pesticides, they target plant and not animal species.

Inspection is the act of examination and evaluating the production or handling operation of an applicant for certification or certified operation to determine compliance with a standard and its regulations.