BOMBYX, a division of Profits Fund Global Holding (PFG), is proud to announce that it has completed the GOTS, GRS, and RCS certifications at its Hong Kong trading office. These accreditations are in addition to the company’s existing GOTS, GRS, and RCS certifications at its cut & sew factory (NCKF) and organic certification at its mulberry farms.
The GOTS, GRS, and RCS accreditations achieved by BOMBYX verify the products’ chain of custody from dyeing, finishing, manufacturing through trading operations. Currently, customers can purchase organic certified (BIO-DQS) raw silk fibers and cocoons directly from the Bombyx farms, GOTS silk woven fabrics and recycled women’s apparel through the trading office in Hong Kong.
As outlined by Textile Exchange, “Chain of custody certification requires that each stage in the supply chain takes the proper steps to ensure that the integrity of the claimed material can be maintained. The supply chain is key to delivering that integrity all the way to the final product. Certification provides brand protection, purchase assurance, and greater credibility to the claims being made”.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification version 6.0 affirms that women’s apparel and woven fabrics traded from its Hong Kong office are 100% organic silk. The GOTS certification is an internationally recognized organic certification that includes ecological and social criteria, demonstrating to stakeholders, partners, and consumers BOMBYX’s commitment to providing sustainable, ethical, and high-quality products.
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification version 4.0 verifies that women’s apparel traded through the Hong Kong office is composed of 100% recycled post-consumer silk and dyed yarns are composed of 20% recycled post-consumer cotton and 80% silk.
The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certification version 2.0 further verifies categories of women’s apparel (shirts, blouses) are 5%recycled pre-consumer silk and 95% silk. And dyed, woven fabrics are comprised of 5% recycled post-consumer cotton and 95% silk.
RCS and GRS are international, voluntary standards that set requirements for third-party certification of recycled input and additional criteria for social and environmental processing requirements and chemical restrictions. Each stage of production is required to be certified, beginning at the recycling stage and ending at the last seller in the final business-to-business transaction. The Standard provides verification of chain of custody for Recycled Material, in accordance with the Content Claim Standard. The components for GRS and RCS are collected from certified recycled materials and demonstrate BOMBYX’s commitment to traceability as well as a circular economy by reducing textile waste and keeping the integrity of the fibers by reincorporating them into high-quality garments.
“This marks a milestone in our process towards completing our certified, organic, and fully vertical supply chain,” comments Hilmond Hui, VP, Bombyx. “Certification doesn't tell the whole story, but it is a tangible point of reference and gives a high degree of confidence for our customers and their consumers. Certifications are a trusted benchmark for us during this journey and we are looking forward to building on these in our next phase when we open our spinning & weaving mill this spring,” continues Hui.
By certifying the Hong Kong trading office to the GOTS, GRS, and RCS standards, Bombyx is reaffirming its commitment to sustainability throughout the entire supply chain. The certifications bring Bombyx one step closer to their goal of an organically owned and operated vertical supply chain.
About Bombyx: Based in Hong Kong with operations in mainland China, BOMBYX is an innovative silk supplier and textile manufacturer that aims to disrupt the textile industry’s problematic norms and challenge the status quo. It understands that innovation and profitability do not have to come at the expense of the well-being of our planet or people. BOMBYX produces silk fabrics to brands, including Rag & Bone, Club Monaco, Everlane, J. Crew, and Madewell.
About GOTS: GOTS is the stringent voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing) of apparel and home textiles made with certified organic fibre (such as organic cotton and organic wool), and includes both environmental and social criteria. Key provisions include a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), highly hazardous chemicals (such as azo dyes and formaldehyde), and child labour, while requiring strong social compliance management systems and strict waste water treatment practices. GOTS was developed by leading international standard setters - Organic Trade Association (U.S.), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany), and Soil Association (UK) to define globally recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles, from field to finished product.
About Textile Exchange: Textile Exchange is a global nonprofit that creates leaders in the sustainable fiber and materials industry. The organization develops, manages, and promotes a suite of leading industry standards as well as collects and publishes vital industry data and insights that enable brands and retailers to measure, manage, and track their use of preferred fiber and materials. With a membership that represents leading brands, retailers, and suppliers, Textile Exchange has, for years, been positively impacting climate through accelerating the use of preferred fibers across the global textile industry and is now making it an imperative goal through its 2030 Strategy: Climate+. Under the Climate+ strategic direction, Textile Exchange will be the driving force for urgent climate action with a goal of 45% reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030.