The Shocking Truth: When “Organic Cotton” Isn’t Vegan

When we think of sustainability and ethics in fashion, “organic cotton” is often hailed as a gold standard. Labels like IVN Best and GOTS Certified Organic Cotton are celebrated for their strict environmental and social guidelines. So imagine our surprise when we discovered that this revered certification doesn’t guarantee one crucial thing: vegan integrity.

Yes — you read that right.

IVN-certified organic cotton, despite being grown without synthetic pesticides, harvested under fair working conditions, and produced with ecological responsibility in mind, may still contain animal-derived substances. This unsettling realization begs the question: how can a natural fiber so “pure” and “sustainable” not be vegan?

The Day We Found Out Our Organic Cotton Wasn’t Vegan

Wait, What? When we set out to get PETA-Approved Vegan certified, we were excited. Confident, even. After all, we had done our homework. We were using plastic-free plant-based leather, and chose IVN Best certified organic cotton — one of the strictest standards for environmentally and socially responsible textiles. If anything was going to pass the vegan test, it was this.

But then came the vendor questionnaires—and what we discovered was both surprising and unsettling: our IVN certified organic cotton might not actually be vegan. One of our lining textile suppliers responded. We were expecting a quick confirmation. Instead, what we got was this:

"In general, our products are free of animal additives. However, some animal fat is used in the production of the sizing in the weaving mill…"

When we applied for PETA-Approved Vegan certification, we thought it would be simple. After all, we don’t use animal-based leather, silk, or wool. But then came the vendor questionnaires—and what we discovered was both surprising and unsettling: our IVN certified organic cotton might not actually be vegan. Here's what happened, and why it matters.

Sizing? We had never even thought to question this part of the process. But it turns out, before threads are woven into fabric, they're often coated with a substance called sizing to make them smoother and stronger. And that sizing? It can contain animal fat. Even though the sizing is usually washed out later, it’s still used in direct contact with the material — and that means the fabric isn’t vegan.

The truth is, most people would never know if a brand used such a fabric. Most brands wouldn’t even ask the question, assuming organic cotton was vegan. But once you do know — you can’t unknow it. Being ethical is not just about transparency with our community, it’s about trust. About building something we’re truly proud of, even if it costs more, takes longer, or means making tough calls.

So What Did We Do?

We hadn't cut the fabric yet, and we couldn’t bring ourselves to use it. It didn’t feel right — not for us, not for the people who trust us to stand for something better.

So we made the decision to return the material.

Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it slowed down our production. But honestly, this is why we exist. To question assumptions. To dig deeper. To do better — even when it’s inconvenient.

What This Means for Ethical Brands

For small businesses and ethical designers building cruelty-free brands, this discovery can be shocking. We’re often told to trust third-party certifications like IVN or GOTS. They tick the boxes for sustainability, labor rights, and environmental responsibility — but do not necessarily consider animal welfare.

In a world increasingly demanding transparency, the lack of clarity around vegan compliance in the textile industry is problematic. Consumers assume organic means ethical across the board. But without stricter definitions, even the best intentions can lead us astray.

So… What Should Brands Do Now?

Ask the tough questions. Don’t assume a label means what you think it does. Ask your suppliers about every step of production — especially sizing and finishing.
Push for vegan-certified textiles. Organizations like PETA and VeganOK are starting to create vegan textile standards. Seek out fabrics that have these certifications — or ask your current suppliers to pursue them (at INTGR, we are currently in the process of getting certified).
Advocate for change. If major certifying bodies like IVN or GOTS are missing the mark on animal-derived additives, it’s time to demand a broader, clearer definition of “ethical.”

This discovery isn’t just disappointing — it’s a wake-up call. The road to truly ethical fashion isn’t paved with assumptions, but with constant inquiry, education, and accountability. As brands and consumers, we must stay curious, and critical.

Why This Story Matters

As a consumer, if animal welfare is important to you — Ask the tough questions. Hold brands accountable. This isn’t just about one roll of fabric. It’s about what the industry chooses to hide in fine print — or not print at all.

What we learned: Transparency is powerful. Even though the truth was difficult, we’re grateful our supplier was honest. That gave us the opportunity to make a conscious choice — and to now share this story with you.