The bioRe® brand represents the highest standards worldwide with regard to organic cotton and fair trading. The bioRe Foundation is the independent owner of the brand as well as the two standards and quality labels bioRe® Sustainable Textiles and bioRe® Sustainable Cotton.
In its capacity as owner, the bioRe Foundation is responsible for the standards related to the two quality labels. In developing the standards systems, the Foundation closely co-operates with FloCert, Remei and farmers in India and Tanzania.
The standards focus on positive development and long-term continuous improvement of processes. The bioRe® Sustainable Cotton standard defines the farming families as equal trading partners in a global value chain. It ensures that organic farming produces financial and substantial non-financial benefits to the farming families. Non-financial benefits include access to elementary and further education, social infrastructure such as health services, or water supply. Financial benefits include a purchase guarantee plus a premium paid by Remei, and specifically stronger economic viability through the build-up of farmers’ organisations. Thus, the bioRe® Sustainable Cotton standard is crucial for farming families and the Foundation. It provides a framework for economic and social protection and support of the farming families.
Compliance with the standards is subject to inspection by independent external agencies. In case of non-compliance with standards, the Foundation is entitled to refuse use of the brand and the quality labels.
Remei AG is licensee of the bioRe® brand and the two quality labels.It is responsible for compliance with the standards and product requirements related to the two quality labels across the entire value chain, and for implementation of fair trading. It is obliged to apply a comprehensive quality-assurance system.
Quality labels
bioRe® Sustainable Cotton
Fair-trading cotton bearing the bioRe® Sustainable Cotton quality label originates from controlled organic farming by smallholders in India and Tanzania. Non-GMO seeds are used for the farming of organic cotton.
As it was almost impossible for farmers in India to obtain non-GMO seed, Remei India Ltd. began breeding organic cotton seed of its own. The bioRe Foundation has supported and promoted an annual research project for non-GMO seeds since 2011.
The bioRe Foundation is the owner of the bioRe® brand, the cotton standard and the quality label, whereas Remei AG is a licensee.