The importance of organic cotton in the global textile and apparel industry is steadily increasing. Brands, regulatory authorities, and consumers are demanding more credible sustainability claims and transparent supply chains. This trend is reflected in the remarkable growth of the OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON certification, which recorded an annual growth rate of 381% by the end of 2025.

Partnership with TextileGenesis

To meet the growing need for fraud-proof certification systems, OEKO-TEX® has established a strategic partnership with TextileGenesis, a company within the Lectra Group. The aim is to future-proof the organic cotton certification process through the digitalisation of transaction certificates.

The collaboration combines OEKO-TEX®’s certification expertise with TextileGenesis’ Fibercoin™ technology. This token-based solution links every physical delivery of organic cotton to a unique digital token, ensuring tamper-proof traceability from fibre to finished product. At the same time, paper-based processes are replaced by a centralised digital platform, significantly reducing administrative effort for all stakeholders across the supply chain.

Pilot Project Confirms Success

A pilot project conducted in India and Bangladesh between March and August 2025 demonstrated the high acceptance of digital transaction certificates. Eleven supply chain participants took part, and 24 certificates were successfully created and validated digitally. Suppliers such as KKP Spinning Mills Pvt. Ltd. and Milan Ginning Pressing Limited praised the user-friendliness and efficiency of the new solution.

Strategic Importance for the Future

The digitalisation of transaction certificates marks a milestone in OEKO-TEX®’s digital roadmap. Dr Alfred J. Beerli, CEO of OEKO-TEX®, emphasises: “Secure, transparent, and data-driven processes strengthen the integrity of our certification and make it more efficient and scalable – particularly in the field of organic cotton.” Following successful implementation, this approach is expected to be gradually expanded to other OEKO-TEX® certifications and product categories.

Platform for Digital Traceability

Founded in 2018, TextileGenesis offers a SaaS platform that enables fashion brands and sustainable textile manufacturers to ensure fully digital traceability of their products. With an innovative fibre-based traceability approach for certified materials and a global network for material certifications, the platform guarantees seamless documentation throughout the entire lifecycle of a material. By digitalising transaction certificates, the industry is taking a decisive step towards greater transparency and sustainability.