Organic cotton cultivation requires locations with clean soil, irrigation water, and air. Land must be certified, such as through Chinese, EU, or US organic certifications, or internationally recognized certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OCS (Organic Content Standard). A three-year transition period is required from conventional to organic production, during which operations must strictly adhere to organic standards.
The use of genetically modified seeds, chemically synthesized pesticides, and fertilizers is prohibited during cultivation. Organic fertilizers (such as cottonseed meal and livestock manure), biological control, and natural farming practices are the primary methods, with possible crop rotation with leguminous green manure crops.
Production and processing must adhere to pollution-free and traceable standards, prohibiting the use of toxic dyeing auxiliaries. Internationally recognized certifications such as GOTS and OCS are required, along with a fully transparent and traceable system.
