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Fiber Council

The Organic Trade Association’s Board approved the establishment of a Fiber Council based on Sector Council Operating Guidelines in 2015. The application for the new sector council was first reviewed by the Organic Trade Association Board of Director's Community Relations Committee, which gave its support. Marci Zaroff, Founder/CEO of EcoFashion Corp. and Founder of Under the Canopy, submitted the request along with seven other member companies that have expressed interest in participating. 

Contact Danielle Cote if you are interested in joining the Organic Trade Association Fiber Council.

Check out the Fiber Council's 2022 Annual Report        


Hear from the Fiber Council's Chair Michael Twer of Delilah Home about our 2022 successes and future plans!

ABOUT THE COUNCIL
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The aim of the Fiber Council
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Established in April 2015, the aim of the Fiber Council is to create a cohesive voice across fiber categories within the association and to grow the organic fiber sector overall. 

Meet our Fiber Council Members
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Over 40 organic farmers and businesses participate. MEET OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS

#LiveOrganic
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Organic Trade Association's Fiber Council hosted a first of its kind event in New York City in 2017 with the #LiveOrganic From Farm to Home Pop-Up Shop. READ THE PRESS RELEASE 

GOTS 2018
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The Fiber Council met in South Carolina in February 2018 for its annual in-person meeting, held in conjunction with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) events. The Organic Trade Association, which is one of the owners of GOTS, is represented on GOTS advisory and standards committees. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Textile Exchange 2019
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The Fiber Council hosted a booth in the 2019 Textile Sustainability Conference in Vancouver, B.C. where they answered questions about the benefits of organic agriculture and actions companies can take to both protect organic integrity and achieve transparency in organic claims. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

QUICK RESOURCES
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MEMBERS
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Over 40 Organic Trade Association member companies which represent the organic fiber supply chain, from farmers to manufacturers, certifiers, researchers, retailers and more, from wool and cotton clothing companies to organic mattress retailing currently participate on the Fiber Council.

Meet our members  

COUNCIL RESOURCES
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Best Labeling Practices for Textiles
Organic Fiber 101
Organic Hemp & Hemp Products

Learn more about the Organic Hemp Opportunity at ota.com/hemp

Organic Hemp & Hemp Fact Sheet

Annual Reports

Every year in fulfillment of the Organic Trade Association Sector Council Annual Reports, leaders of the Fiber Council and our staff write and present their annual reports to the Board of Directors.

2021 Fiber Council Report to OTA Board 2019 Fiber Council Report to OTA Board 2018 Fiber Council Report to OTA Board 2017 Fiber Council Report to OTA Board 2016 Fiber Council Report to OTA Board 2015 Fiber Council Report to OTA Board

Work Plans

Every year, Organic Trade Association Sector Councils approve priorities for their work plans over the year. You can learn about the priorities of the Fiber Council over the years. 

2020-2021 Work Plan 2019 Work Plan 2018 Work Plan

FIBER EDUCATION
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Follow the Thread: From Farm to Finished Product

Presented Wednesday, January 18, 2023 (90-minute webinar)

Are you a retailer or brand selling organic clothing, loungewear, towels, bedding, or mattresses? Looking for tools to explain the benefits of organic textiles or the strengths and requirements of the organic certification system? Join the Organic Trade Association’s Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs, Gwendolyn Wyard, and members of our Organic Fiber Council for our upcoming webinar and learn about these benefits and strengths.

During the webinar hosted by OTA’s Fiber Council, and co-hosted by GOTS and Textile Exchange, we were joined by brand and certification experts in organic textiles and certification to talk about why organic textiles are good for the planet, people, and business and why organic certification matters. In this session, you learn how organic certification works, how to read labels appropriately, and how to buy and sell with confidence in today’s marketplace. Follow the thread and join us now!

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Angela Wartes-Kahl, Consultant | Organic Integrity Cooperative Guild
  • Barry Cik, Founder, Technical Director & Co-CEO | Naturepedic Organic Mattresses
  • Elizabeth Tigan, Fiber and Textile Specialist | Oregon Tilth
  • Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs | Organic Trade Association
  • La Rhea Pepper, Catalyst and Co-Founder | Textile Exchange
  • Lori Wyman, North American Representative | Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  • Marci Zaroff, Founder/CEO | EcoFashion Corp. 
  • Michael Twer, CEO | Delilah Home & OTA’s Fiber Council Chair
  • Travis Wells, Protection Officers | Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Open to all

WATCH NOW

The Environmental Benefits of Organic Cotton

The Environmental Benefits of Organic Cotton

Presented Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Join The Organic Center and Iowa State’s Kathleen Delate, PhD, for a discussion of the scientifically backed, full system ecological benefits of organic cotton – from farm to fashion. We’ll also hear from the Organic Trade Association’s Fiber Council on the group’s work to advance organic cotton and other textiles. There is no charge to watch this on-demand webinar.  

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Kathleen Delate, PhD, Professor and Extension Organic Specialist, Departments of Horticulture and Agronomy | Iowa State University
  • Angela Wartes-Kahl,  Organic Inspector & Consultant & Vice Chair of the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Council | Independent Organic Services, Inc.
  • Jessica Shade, PhD, Director of Science Programs | The Organic Center (Discussion Leader)

Open to all

WATCH NOW

GOTS Version 6.0 and the U.S. Market

GOTS Version 6.0 and the U.S. Market

Presented Wednesday, April 22, 2020 

Join the Organic Trade Association for a discussion on the recent release of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 6.0. In this 90-minute webinar, we’ll discuss an overview of organic labeling of fiber and textiles in the U.S., review the current market of GOTS in the United States, and provide an overview of GOTS including an update on the changes to the new version. Our panel of experts will help your organization prepare for the implementation of changes and answer your questions. This webinar is now available on demand. 

  • Esteemed Panelists
  • Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, Organic Trade Association
  • Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director, Global Organic Textile Standard
  • Lori Wyman, North American Representative, Global Organic Textile Standard

Open to all 

REGISTER NOW 

Retail Intel: Best Labeling Practices for Organic Non-Food Products

Retail Intel: Best Labeling Practices for Organic Non-Food Products

Presented August 29, 2019

Shoppers trust retailers to offer high quality products with strong organic integrity. Labeling requirements are very different when it comes to non-food organic products such as fiber, personal care and household cleaners. Don’t get lost in the gray area!  Gwendolyn Wyard and Angela Jagiello will help break down the labeling landscape and help you to know what to look for to assure you are providing a full complement of trusted of organic products throughout your shop. This webinar is now available on demand. 

  • Esteemed Panelists:
  • Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs | Organic Trade Association
  • Angela Jagiello, Director of Education and Insights | Organic Trade Association

Complimentary to OTA members
Not-yet member registrations: $149

REGISTER NOW

UPCOMING MEETINGS
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  • Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 1 pm Eastern / 10 am Pacific (virtual)
  • Tuesday, April 9, 2024 @ 1 pm Eastern / 10 am Pacific (virtual)
  • Tuesday, July 9, 2024 @ 1 pm Eastern / 10 am Pacific (virtual)
  • Wednesday, October 16 @ 1 pm Eastern / 10 am Pacific (virtual)
Contact
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Associate Director, Member Engagement
(202) 524-3896