An international NGO conducted a study of children's apparel with sample purchases between May and June 2013. The analysis revealed the presence of harmful chemicals that are known to cause carcinogenic and developmental disorders.

The survey covered 12 brands, for a total of 82 samples.
・Adidas
・American Apparel
・Burberry
・C&A
・Disney
・GAP
・H&M
・Li-Ning
・Nike
・Primark
・Puma
・Uniqlo

Although the amounts detected varied, all brands were found to contain chemicals that are harmful to the human body. The reality seems to be that a wide range of harmful chemicals are used in the manufacturing process of children's clothing.

Perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs) were detected in one brand of swimwear. The amount of PFOAs detected exceeded the limit set by the brand. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) were detected in all brands.

These two chemicals are known to be carcinogens, developmental disorders, and endocrine disruptors that affect human hormonal functions. Because these chemicals are not biodegradable, they remain in the environment for a long period of time if they are discharged from factories into soil or rivers. (Biodegradation is the process by which microorganisms living in soil and water feed on a substance, rendering it nearly harmless.)

Returning to the topic of organic. There are two types of organic certification: one for agriculture, which many people are familiar with, and the other for manufacturing and processing (from spinning to finished products).

We have told you about the agricultural sector in Part 1 and 2, although very briefly. This time, we will talk about the manufacturing and processing fields.

There are two major schools of thought regarding the certification of organic cotton production and processing.
First, because it is "organic cotton," it should be manufactured and processed in a way that has less negative impact on the environment, and the blended ratio (content ratio) of the raw material "organic cotton" should be at least a certain percentage.
The second is to track where "organic cotton" comes from and where it goes. These two are the "organic cotton" certifications in the area of manufacturing and processing.

Organic certification in the agricultural sector began with the need to protect the health of cotton growers and to care for the natural environment. Even if "organic cotton" contributes to the reduction of agricultural chemicals in some small way in the agricultural sector, if a large amount of chemicals that are harmful to the human body are used in the manufacturing and processing sectors, and if these chemicals remain in the cotton, there will be no benefit to consumers who paid high prices for "organic" products in search of safe clothing.

As in the agricultural sector, certification in the area of manufacturing and processing also requires the payment of high certification costs to the certification body. Many companies do not obtain certification in the area of manufacturing processes when all they need is an "organic is eco-friendly" image.
Actually going to the sales floor to check the product tag or contacting the manufacturer's public relations department can tell you a great deal about the product.

In the past few years, many low-priced organic cotton products have appeared on the market, even at major mass merchandisers. Prices have also become lower.
At some mass merchandisers, the price of a single T-shirt or polo shirt made of 100% organic cotton is in the range of about 1,550 to 3,900 yen." When "organic cotton" was first introduced, it was perceived by consumers as a rather expensive item, with a single T-shirt costing around 10,000 yen. (The amount of cotton used is about 300 grams per T-shirt. (The amount of cotton used is about 300 grams for a T-shirt. In the international market, the price of 300 grams of regular cotton is about 70 yen.)

Also, the products are now very colorful. What exactly has changed?

Organic cotton" is a concept that an entomologist came up with in order to reduce soil contamination by pesticides in cotton-growing areas. As someone who has seen many cotton fields in action, I am all for the concept.

Most low-priced "organic cotton" these days is grown in Asian, African, Central and South American, and former Soviet Union countries, where wages are low. In these countries, laws have not been developed in time, and standards for dyeing, which has a great negative impact on the environment in the manufacturing and processing fields, are not observed, the standards themselves are loose, or the standards themselves do not even exist.

The regulations of the world's largest organic certification organization state that "the use of chemicals in the actual production process is subject to the standards set by each country where the cotton is produced. This means that "even countries that do not comply with environmental laws follow their own standards.

Are the standards set by certification bodies really being followed?　Do they have frequent inspections in remote cotton-producing countries with limited access to transportation?　Is there any such thing as advance notice of the date of an audit? This may be a mean-spirited way of looking at it. But having seen it firsthand, I have my own doubts.

Shortly after its introduction, "organic cotton" was mostly used without fancy dyeing, reflecting consumers' awareness of environmental protection (although some dyeing was done in natural colors to make it look more natural).

However, this leaves consumers with few choices, and they become bored. This is why, over the past few years, we have seen the emergence of "organic cotton" products, which are now available in a wide variety of colors and at low prices. Organic cotton products are now available in a wide variety of colors and at low prices, and they are now on the shelves in large numbers.
The sales pitch of "eco-friendly organic cotton at a reasonable price" has the above-mentioned reasons.

( to be continued )