In brief: The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is a voluntary global standard from Textile Exchange that verifies and traces the organic-material content of a finished product, from farm to final product. The current version is OCS 3.0 (effective 1 March 2020). In December 2025 Textile Exchange released the new Materials Matter Standard, into which OCS will gradually transition during 2026–2027. This guide explains what OCS requires, the difference between OCS 100 and OCS Blended, the certification process, and what manufacturers and FDI enterprises in Vietnam should plan for.
As global brands and importers in the EU, US and Japan tighten requirements on supply-chain traceability and anti-greenwashing, OCS certification has become a practical gateway for textile manufacturers in Vietnam to substantiate their “organic” claims credibly. This article — prepared by ISC Global, a sustainability training and certification consultancy — covers everything an exporter needs to know.
1. What is the Organic Content Standard (OCS)?
The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is an international, voluntary standard developed by Textile Exchange, a global non-profit driving the textile industry toward more sustainable, preferred fibres. First released in 2013, OCS was Textile Exchange’s original standard and established the chain-of-custody framework that underpins its later standards (GRS, RCS, RWS and others).
OCS pursues a single goal — increasing organic agricultural production — through three objectives:
- Give the industry a tool to verify the organically grown content of the products it buys.
- Give companies a trusted way to communicate organic-content claims.
- Give organic-fibre farmers access to the global organic market.
A crucial point: OCS does not certify organic farming itself. Input material must already be certified organic under a national standard within the IFOAM Family of Standards (e.g. USDA NOP, EU Organic). OCS then verifies the integrity of that organic material through every stage of the supply chain.
2. OCS 100 vs OCS Blended
OCS has two labelling levels, defined by organic content:
| Level | Organic content | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OCS 100 | 95%–100% certified organic material | Highest level; product is almost entirely organic |
| OCS Blended | Minimum 5% (up to <95%) organic | Organic blended with conventional/synthetic fibres |
In other words, the standard applies to any non-food product containing 5% or more organic material. The on-product label shows the OCS logo, the certification level (OCS 100 or OCS Blended) and the certification number for verification.
For wool inputs, OCS requires non-mulesed wool (or wool from a farm with ceased-mulesing status). For cotton, GMO testing is mandatory under the OCS-103 policy.
3. How OCS traceability works: Scope and Transaction Certificates
OCS runs its chain of custody on the Content Claim Standard (CCS-101), ensuring the identity of organic content is preserved from feedstock to final product. Two key documents:
- Scope Certificate (SC): issued to a facility once a third-party certification body confirms it meets OCS handling requirements.
- Transaction Certificate (TC): accompanies every change of ownership of a shipment, detailing the organic volume and enabling volume reconciliation.
Volume reconciliation is the backbone of the system: certification bodies verify that the organic volume entering a facility matches what leaves it. There are currently 30+ accredited certification bodies worldwide, and Textile Exchange has introduced the Trackit digital platform to automate volume checks.
Note for gins: Since 1 December 2022, any cotton gin supplying inputs into the GOTS stream that also feed the OCS product stream must hold OCS certification too.
4. OCS vs GOTS: what’s the difference?
| Criterion | OCS | GOTS |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Organic content & traceability | Whole chain: material + processing + social |
| Minimum organic content | 5% (OCS Blended) | 70% |
| Chemical / dye / effluent rules | No | Yes (strict) |
| Labour / social criteria | No | Yes |
| Complexity & cost | Lower, easier entry | Higher, more comprehensive |
In short, OCS is an excellent starting point for verifying and communicating organic content without the full scope of GOTS, while GOTS is the most comprehensive standard when environmental, chemical and social criteria are required. Many manufacturers achieve OCS first, then upgrade to GOTS.
5. The OCS certification process (6 steps)
- Select a certification body from Textile Exchange’s directory (30+ worldwide; e.g. Ecocert, Intertek, Control Union).
- Submit the Client Information Form describing your scope and processes.
- Accept the quote, sign the contract and pay the initial fee.
- Build your documentation and chain-of-custody system — input/output volume records, supplier TCs, GMO test records (cotton), non-mulesed records (wool), technical specifications and physical separation of organic material. Review the OCS User Manual (OCS-201) and CCS-101 first.
- Undergo the audit — onsite, remote or hybrid depending on risk level. Each facility in the chain is audited annually.
- Receive the Scope Certificate and maintain it via annual surveillance; issue a Transaction Certificate for each ownership transfer.
6. Why OCS matters for exporters in Vietnam
- Order prerequisite: many EU/US/Japanese buyers require OCS or GOTS.
- Anti-greenwashing: organic claims are independently verified, reducing legal and reputational risk.
- Supply-chain transparency: end-to-end traceability supports due-diligence requirements.
- Blending flexibility: OCS Blended allows organic fibres to be combined with functional or synthetic ones.
- Foundation for the future: builds the data and discipline to move toward GOTS or the Materials Matter system.
Vietnam is among the countries with companies already certified to OCS, so the pathway is well established for local manufacturers and FDI enterprises alike.
7. 2026–2027 update: the transition to Materials Matter
This is the most important strategic development to plan for:
- On 12 December 2025, Textile Exchange released the criteria for the Materials Matter Standard — a unified voluntary standard for the production and primary processing of raw materials in the fashion and textile industry.
- Materials Matter becomes effective on 31 December 2026 and mandatory from 31 December 2027.
- OCS will gradually transition into the Materials Matter system, preserving essential functions such as traceability while moving toward more holistic, farmer-centred outcomes.
- In 2024, Textile Exchange decided to keep OCS as a standalone standard while strengthening its framework; a public feedback period ran from 3 March to 30 April 2025.
Bottom line: Achieving OCS today retains its value, but enterprises should design their systems to be transition-ready for Materials Matter in 2026–2027. ISC Global supports clients through both phases.
8. ISC Global’s OCS training & certification consulting
- OCS awareness training for leadership and operations teams (bilingual EN/VI materials).
- Gap analysis against OCS 3.0 requirements.
- Documentation and chain-of-custody system design, including volume reconciliation and TC/SC recordkeeping.
- Mock audits and application support to pass first time.
- Transition roadmap consulting for OCS → Materials Matter (2026–2027) and upgrades to GOTS.
9. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does OCS certify organic farming? No. Inputs must already be certified organic under an IFOAM Family of Standards scheme (e.g. USDA NOP, EU Organic). OCS verifies the integrity of that material along the supply chain.
What is the difference between OCS 100 and OCS Blended? OCS 100 requires 95–100% organic content; OCS Blended requires a minimum of 5% organic content.
Can manufacturers in Vietnam obtain OCS? Yes. Vietnam is among the countries with OCS-certified companies. ISC Global provides end-to-end support.
Will achieving OCS now be wasted once Materials Matter arrives? No. OCS remains valid and recognised; the transition is designed to preserve the value of existing certification. Early adoption prepares you for the mandatory phase in 2027.
Should we choose OCS or GOTS? It depends on buyer requirements and current capability. OCS is easier and focuses on organic content; GOTS is comprehensive (chemicals, environment, labour). Many firms achieve OCS first, then upgrade.
Contact us for OCS consulting
ISC Global
Hotline: +84 933 096 426 – +84 868 591 260
Email: info@iscglobal.asia | van.pham@iscglobal.asia
Website: iscglobal.asia | iscglobal.edu.vn
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