Cir(033)/2023                                                                               March 25, 2023

Committee:

Dear Sirs/ Madam,

Sub.: Suspension of the accreditation of CU India for ISO/IEC17065 (all scopes), GOTS (all scopes), and Textile Exchange (all scopes) by the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) – reg.

This is in reference to the suspension of the accreditation of CU India for ISO/IEC17065 (all scopes), GOTS (all scopes), and Textile Exchange (all scopes) by the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) on 3rd March 2023.

As informed vide circular dated 21^st March 2023, CITI is actively taking up the matter with the concerned authorities. Based on the inputs of several members, CITI requested the Textile Exchange to provide a window of at least 3 months to Control Union for issuing OCS/GRS/RCS certificates to products in the pipeline with the active intervention of Textile Exchange to ensure the credibility of the certificates as also identify and approve the utilization of services of ‘Textile Exchange Approved Certification Bodies/Independent Third Parties’ also to complete the pending applications for certification, more specifically when production processes for complying with the confirmed foreign buyer’s Orders are in the pipeline.

In this regard, CITI received a communication from Textile Exchange informing that to bring clarity to businesses and certified sites who are making decisions during this time, Textile Exchange has issued some “Guidelines and Calibration” which will be effective from Monday 27th Match 2023 and may be applied to shipments made before this date as long as all criteria are met. The detailed guidelines and calibrations are attached for your ready perusal.

Additionally, Textile Exchange will be coming out with more information in FAQ format in the coming week to bring more clarity in the process.

CITI is continuously following up the taking up the matter. In case members have any additional feedback/comments, it is requested to share the same by Monday 27th March 2023 so that the same can be taken up appropriately.

This is placed for your kind information and necessary action.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

(Chandrima Chatterjee)

Secretary General