SDGs from Textiles. Ueyama Textile Acquires First OCS Certification in Banshu Production Region

Ueyama Group / Ueyama Textile Co., Ltd. (Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Nobuyuki Ueyama) has acquired the international certification for organic textile products, "OCS (Organic Content Standard)". This has enabled the establishment of a system to supply OCS-certified fabrics within the Banshu production region, covering the entire supply chain from weaving to dyeing and distribution.

This certification was issued by the certification body IDFL (International Down and Feather Laboratory). The following processes within the Ueyama Group's production system are covered by the certification:

・Trading: Ueyama Textile Co., Ltd.
・Weaving, Sizing, Warehousing: Ueyama Orimono Co., Ltd.
・Dyeing, Pre-treatment: Toban Senko Co., Ltd.

This has realized an integrated supply system for organic textiles through a collaborative supply chain within the Banshu production region.

In recent years, the apparel industry has been considered one of the industries with a high environmental impact, and there is a demand for environmental consideration and traceability throughout the entire supply chain. Particularly in the cultivation of cotton, a major raw material, issues such as water resource consumption and pesticide use have been pointed out.

Against this background, the global demand for products using organic raw materials is increasing, and the importance of international certification systems that manage the history from raw materials to finished products is growing.

What is OCS (Organic Content Standard)?

OCS (Organic Content Standard) is an international certification system for supply chains of products containing organic fibers. In each process from raw material harvesting to the final product (weaving, sizing, dyeing, finishing, warehousing, etc.), it certifies that:

・Guarantee of organic fiber content
・Management system to prevent mixing and contamination
・Ensuring traceability

are strictly managed.

This certification covers woven products made from organic cotton, such as:

・Yarn-dyed fabrics
・Undyed fabrics
・Greige fabrics

etc.

Benefits of producing OCS-certified fabrics within the Ueyama Group

1. Integrated response within the regional supply chain

For OCS certification, each process from raw materials to products is subject to certification, and traceability management is required for each process.

The Ueyama Group collaborates on key processes within the Banshu production region:

・Trading: Ueyama Textile Co., Ltd.
・Weaving / Sizing / Warehousing: Ueyama Orimono Co., Ltd.
・Dyeing / Processing: Toban Senko Co., Ltd.

This makes it possible to supply OCS-certified fabrics as a one-stop service.

2. Reduced burden of procurement and production management

Normally, when producing OCS-certified fabrics, it is necessary to individually arrange multiple certified companies for:

Weaving / Dyeing / Sizing / Processing / Warehousing

The Ueyama Group manages these processes integrally within the production region, thereby achieving:

・Simplification of supplier management
・Streamlining of certification document exchange
・Smooth adjustment of production schedules

This reduces the burden of procurement and production management for brands.

3. Speedy product development

Since the processes are completed within the Banshu production region, it is possible to respond flexibly and quickly to:

・Trial production
・Adjustment of production conditions
・Delivery deadlines

Furthermore, Ueyama Textile always stocks and sells over 3000 original colors of fabric and can handle orders from 1 meter. It is also possible to produce custom orders with OCS-certified specifications based on existing fabrics, contributing to faster product development.

Towards a sustainable textile industry

In recent years, the apparel industry has strongly demanded the adoption of sustainable materials and ensuring supply chain transparency. The Ueyama Group leverages the weaving technology cultivated in the Banshu weaving region and its regional collaboration system to promote sustainable manufacturing using organic materials.

Moving forward, we will continue to provide high-value-added textiles to domestic and international brands and contribute to the development of a sustainable textile industry from our production region.