Organic Content Standard (OCS)

I. Core Requirements and Standard Classification

1. Scope of Application
   OCS applies to all non-food products containing 5%-100% organic materials, including textiles, cosmetics, home goods, and more. Its core function is to trace organic materials across the entire chain from farm to finished product, ensuring that a company's claims about organic content are authentic and verifiable.
2. Standard Classification

• OCS 100: Products in which 95%-100% of the materials are organic, with the remaining 5% potentially being non-organic fibers (subject to environmental requirements), such as garments made from 100% organic cotton.

• OCS Blended: Products in which 5%-95% of the materials are organic, allowing blending with other fibers. This is suitable for enterprises gradually introducing organic materials, such as T-shirts containing 60% organic cotton.

3. Raw Material and Production Specifications
   Organic raw materials must originate from farms certified under national organic standards and be accompanied by transaction certificates (e.g., GOTS TC) covering the journey from farm to the first processing stage. The production process must establish a comprehensive quality management system, documenting raw material procurement, process parameters, warehousing and transportation, and be subject to third-party audits.

II. Certification Process and Certificate Management

1. Certification Steps

• Application and Document Review: The enterprise submits an application to a certification body (e.g., SGS, Control Union, Intertek), providing product information, supply chain documentation, and proof of organic raw materials.

• On-Site Audit and Sample Testing: The certification body conducts an on-site inspection of the production process and performs sampling tests on product composition to ensure compliance with OCS standards.

• Certificate Issuance: Upon passing the audit, the enterprise receives a Scope Certificate (SC), allowing it to undertake OCS orders; each individual transaction requires a separate Transaction Certificate (TC), which serves as proof of transaction for organic content.

• Annual Surveillance: The certificate is valid for 1 year, with annual surveillance audits required to maintain certification status.

2. Fees and Timeline
   Certification costs vary according to enterprise size and supply chain complexity, typically covering audit fees, consulting fees, and travel expenses. The certification cycle for small and medium-sized enterprises is approximately 2-3 months.

III. Labeling Requirements

1. Marking Requirements

• OCS 100: The product label must clearly state "OCS 100" and use the official OCS logo (Pantone 355U or #009355), with dimensions kept clearly legible.

• OCS Blended: The label must indicate "OCS Blended" along with the specific organic content percentage (e.g., "60% organic cotton"), and logo usage rules are consistent with those for OCS 100.

• Usage Authorization: Brand owners must obtain the logo from the certification body responsible for the final processing stage, and the logo may only be used for marketing and promotional purposes; it must not be directly placed on uncertified products or packaging.

2. 2025 Revision Updates
   Effective July 1, 2025, OCS introduces new additive and specialty fabric content declaration requirements:

• Specialty fabrics such as coated, laminated, and impregnated materials must declare all components (including uncertified materials) on the transaction certificate, unless otherwise compliant with the regulations of the country of sale.

• Non-textile components (e.g., flocking, sequins) that account for <= 10% of the final product are exempt from separate declaration; those exceeding 10% must be explicitly labeled.

IV. Differences from GOTS and Other Standards

V. China Certification Resources and International Recognition

1. Domestic Certification Bodies
   There are 12 OCS certification bodies in China, including SGS, Control Union, Intertek, and others, covering multiple industries such as textiles and cosmetics. Among them, SGS added OCS "Secondary Processor" qualification in 2025, enabling full-chain certification services from raw materials to finished products.
2. International Trade Compliance
   OCS certification is accepted in major markets including the EU, the United States, and Japan, helping circumvent technical barriers to trade. For example, the EU Textile Ecolabel requires organic content >=70%, and OCS Blended can meet this entry-level condition; US FTC regulations recognize OCS as a basis for organic claims.

VI. 2025 Industry Trends and Enterprise Strategies

1. Technology Upgrades and Supply Chain Integration
   As OCS tightens its content declaration requirements, enterprises must optimize supply chain management, phase out non-compliant suppliers, and adopt digital tools (such as blockchain) to enhance traceability efficiency. For example, after a garment enterprise in Zhejiang obtained OCS certification, the customs clearance time for its organic cotton products exported to Europe was reduced by 30%.
2. Policy and Market Drivers
   The EU Green Industry Act and China's "dual carbon" goals are driving demand growth for organic products. OCS certification is not only a tool for brand differentiation but also a prerequisite for participating in the international green supply chain. Enterprises should monitor the new additive declaration regulations taking effect in July 2025 and proactively adjust product formulations and label designs.