Organic Basics

Production locations

• Organic Basics HQ: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Garment assembly: Erius located in Barcelos, Portugal
• Basics clothing line production: Nehirli Textile Clothing Inc. located in Istanbul, Turkey
• Knitwear production: Kansin Import Export PVT. LTD. based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Production of the ReNaked Rib underwear collection: PT. Liebra Permana, located in Bawen, Indonesia
• Knitting, dying and assembly underwear: Delta Galil Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in Phu Kim Village, Vietnam
• Underwear production: Delta Textile Shamal El Saeed based in Minya, Egypt
• Garment assembly: Shyam Tex Exports Limited based in Faridabad, India
• Textiles production: Skins, located in Camarate, Portugal
• Yarn production: Impetus, located in Apúlia, Portugal
• Textile production: Lenzing™, located in Vöcklabruck, Austria
• Yarn production: Active Yarn, located in Mantua, Italy
• Wool garments produced in Fafe, Portugal

Working Conditions & living wages

When Organic Basics was founded, the brand’s founders stated their goals to establish a clothing brand that ensures an more eco-conscious production approach and to make this not just a policy but their only way of doing business. 

In 2022, the Israeli-based textile firm Delta Galil purchased the rapidly growing start-up with ambitious large-scale international expansion plans. 
The acquisition of Organic Basics by Delta Galil Industries Ltd. has raised important questions about the brand’s ethical production practices. Delta Galil, with facilities in Israel, has been listed on the United Nations blacklist for profiting from the Palestinian occupation, leading to boycotts by the UN. This is particularly concerning given Delta Galil’s operations in illegal Israeli settlements.
The late founder and chair of Delta Galil, Dov Lautman, had been rumoured for his close ties with top Israeli officials. This, and other controversial claims, cast a shadow over Organic Basics.

COSH! had the opportunity to talk with the sustainability coordinator at Organic Basics. She assured us that the brand still adheres to its original social standards, and that none of the Organic Basics garments are made in Israel or Palestine. The brand also shared that they have personally visited some of the production facilities. 

Organic Basics asserts on its website that it only collaborates with trusted, certified factories that prohibit child and forced labour, ensure safe working environments, pay living wages, and treat workers respectfully. Most factories are certified by SEDEX, SMETA, ISO14001, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or SA8000 certifications.
Originally the Danish brand exclusively produced in Europe, but since the acquisition, they have also collaborations with production facilities in India, Thailand and other countries. Still, more than half of the production partners are located in Europe.

The Organic Basics brand has also obtained the GOTS certification, which COSH! Could verify in the online database. This certification is mostly focused on the use of chemicals in the production process but also checks if facilities comply with its requirements for safe working conditions.

Materials

• GOTS-certified organic cotton
• OCS-certified organic cotton
• GRS certified recycled Nylon/​polyamide
• TENCEL™ Lyocell
• Nylon/​polyamide
• LENZING™ ECOVERO™

Organic Basics has taken considerable steps to ensure the sustainability of its products, yet a critical examination reveals areas for further improvement. The brand’s use of organic cotton, certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Organic Content Standard (OCS), reflects its dedication to environmentally and socially responsible production practices.

Similarly, sourcing recycled nylon from suppliers certified by the Global Recycling Standard (GRS) demonstrates a commitment to responsible material sourcing on social, environmental, and chemical levels.

The brand’s impact report for 2023 states that 90% of the main materials consist of GOTS-certified organic cotton. Completed by 4% viscose fibres like LENZING™ ECOVERO™ and TENCEL™ Lyocell, and 5% synthetic fibres (both virgin and recycled).

The adoption of TENCEL™ Lyocell and LENZING™ ECOVERO™, both certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, is another stride towards sustainability, ensuring that each component of their products, including sewing threads and prints, is free from harmful substances. However, the challenge lies in balancing these more sustainable materials with practical considerations. For example, the use of a small percentage of elastane in most garments for comfort and fit, while functional, introduces synthetic elements that affect the durability and recyclability of the garment.

The partnership with One Carbon World for carbon offsetting is a commendable step towards addressing the brand’s carbon footprint. However, carbon offsetting is often seen as a complementary measure rather than a solution to the root causes of carbon emissions.

Organic Basics’ contributions to 1% For The Planet to support charities in nature conservation, ocean conservation, rewilding, as well as sustainability is a positive step towards social responsibility. However, the impact of such initiatives is rather small compared to the consequences of the production activities of a company.

Packaging

The impact report for 2023 published by Organic Basics explains that the brand opted to package individual garments in glassine bags, replacing cardboard boxes. These paper bags are used for both transportation within the supply chain (to retailers or warehouses) and for e‑commerce packaging. The brand claims that this substitution reduced packaging emissions by 30% per product.

Glassine is a light-weight glossy paper, that is somewhat grease and water Resistance. Depending on what inks or glues are used, the glassine materials can be biodegradable and recyclable.

Water usage & chemicals

The use of organic cotton helps to limit water usage in the brand’s supply chain, as organic cotton is not irrigated but only depends on natural rainwater. 

Most items in the Organic Basics range have the OEKO-Tex certificate, which ensures that the end product does not contain any harmful chemicals and is safe for skin contact.

Several factories in the supply chain are certified by Bluesign®, a certificate that assesses and regulates wastewater discharge levels. Some sources also claim that the brand requires all its partner factories to adhere to the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programme, which includes managing and reducing water and wastewater risks.

Circular product design

Organic Basics extensively uses natural fibres, which are inherently more circular and recyclable if they are not mixed with synthetic materials. However, a significant portion of the Organic Basics garments consist of a combination of organic cotton and elastane. The addition of elastane is often needed in close-fitting garments such as underwear to ensure comfort and movability.

The use of recycled materials such as pre-consumer recycled merino wool and GRS-certified recycled nylon improves the circularity of the brand.

Circular business models

According to the 2023 report, there are no circular business models in place yet, although they do set ambitions to work on this: ​“In 2024, we’re committed to implementing a circular strategy. We know we aren’t ready to have a fully circular business, but we are responsible for the products we put out into the world and we need to make sure that they can be safely recycled or reused.”

Circular business models are for example a repair service or a resale platform.

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

• Organic Basics HQ: Denmark
• Production countries: Portugal, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Italy
• Materials sourcing countries: Austria, Italy, Portugal

The supply chain for Organic Basics is quite extensive, including countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa. For some materials, such as the LENZING™ ECOVERO™, we know where it is sourced. But for most of the materials the origin is not declared yet, possibly lengthening the distances in the supply chain even more.

Transportation

Organic Basics is actively engaged in measuring, reporting, and reducing its carbon emissions across its entire value chain. Organic Basics claims that all transport within Europe is done by truck. In 2023 the brand calculated that 40% of its emissions were related to transport and storage, largely due to the use of air transport for the long distances between Asia and Europe. 
In their 2023 report the brand acknowledges that the use of planes has a big impact on their emissions, and set an ambitious goal: ​“In 2024, we’re committed to reducing our transport emissions by 50%.”

The brand says it will schedule production more in advance, so slower transport methods such as ships can be used, stating the goal that the Fall/​Winter collection 2024 should be shipped by land and sea, without stock shortages.

Most of the Organic Basics products are vegan, and they are even PETA-Approved (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)!

However, very few garments do contain animal-derived materials. A mere 1% of the collection is made of recycled merino wool, in particular a jumper and some knitted hats. Seeing as the wool is recycled, no animals are directly involved in the process. Additionally, the brand has an animal wellbeing policy in place that is to be signed by all its suppliers.

Product design

The name speaks for itself, Organic Basics focuses on comfortable basics to wear all year long. The designs are straightforward and practical, often available in multiple colour options. 

Apart from the clothing line with sweaters, t‑shirts, first layers and loungewear the brand also offers a wide range of underwear for men and women. 

The brand promises in its 2023 impact report to put more emphasis on size inclusivity. At the moment of this screening, December 2024, most items are available in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL. Organic Basics could also put more effort in terms of ethnic inclusivity, as its ​‘naked collection’ only includes 3 skin tones.

In pursuit of longevity and quality, the brand focuses on sourcing quality materials, ensuring its products are durable and long-lasting. However, a noted challenge exists, especially with underwear, which is subject to frequent washing. This frequent laundering poses a significant obstacle to maintaining the garments’ quality and wearability over an extended period of more than five years. 

Slow fashion processes

Although its products are not bound to trends or seasons, Organic Basics still opts to release a new collection of garments on a regular basis, combined with sales periods. This practice does not follow slow fashion principles and further promotes overconsumption to consumers.

Transparency on product

Organic Basics demonstrates a strong commitment to transparency in impact reporting on its e‑commerce website, setting it apart from its competition. On each product page on the website, you can find where the items are produced, and what the LCA calculation is for that garment.

The brand collaborates with Made2Flow to calculate its own impact and individual products annually and maintains a balance between highlighting its achievements and acknowledging areas for improvement. However, despite claims of designing for circularity, only a fraction of their products are recyclable because of material blends.

Transparency on processes

The brand deserves credit for setting clear sustainability goals, planning initiatives, and releasing annual impact reports to track its progress. It provides detailed information about most of their Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, meaning the production facilities where the last stages of production take place. However, the brand’s supply chain is not fully traceable, for example, the origin countries of the materials are unknown. 

Organic Basics collaborated with Made2Flow to bring more transparency and accountability to their activities. Made2Flow did a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on each of the products produced in 2023, compliant with ISO 14040 standards and the European Commission’s PEFCR guidelines. An LCA is a great step forward towards measuring environmental impact and taking targeted actions. However, LCA’s are very complex, and the results depend heavily on the methods, accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data used, raising questions about the depth and scope of these assessments. Organic Basics acknowledges this in the report and states they strive to improve this in the coming years. 

Organic Basics was eager to engage in conversation with COSH! and provided more information to us.