Is Organic Basics Sustainable in 2025? Why They Lost Our Sustainability Certification

Organic Basics was founded as a paragon of eco-conscious fashion: staunchly committed to traceable organic materials, low-impact production, and circular design. Its transparency and environmental integrity earned it both admiration and Eco-Stylist certification.

However, in 2022, the brand was acquired by Delta Galil, a large-scale apparel conglomerate. While Delta Galil may uphold policies around audit processes and supply chain conduct, its ownership raises deeper ethical concerns.

Crucially, Delta Galil was first included in the United Nations database of companies involved in business activities related to Israeli settlements in February 2020. A follow-up update in June 2023 confirmed the company remains listed, reinforcing continued human rights concerns around its operations.

Given this context, our decision to revoke Eco-Stylist certification stems less from a shift in Organic Basics’s values—which still appear largely intact—and more from the ethical implications of its new ownership connections.

This is that story.

What is Organic Basics?

Organic Basics was founded in 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a clear mission to create essential wardrobe pieces that are both stylish and environmentally responsible. From the outset, the brand prioritized sustainability as a core value, focusing on the use of organic, recycled, and innovative eco-friendly materials such as certified organic cotton, TENCEL™, and recycled nylon. By carefully selecting factories that adhere to strict ethical labor standards and maintaining full transparency about its supply chain, Organic Basics distinguished itself in the growing market for sustainable fashion.

A key part of Organic Basics’ reputation stems from its commitment to transparency. The company openly shares detailed information about the environmental footprint of its products, manufacturing processes, and even the energy efficiency of its website. This level of openness has helped build trust among consumers increasingly wary of greenwashing in the apparel industry.

What Do Organic Basics’ B Corp and 1% for the Planet Membership Mean?

Additionally, Organic Basics achieved B Corporation certification. However, at Eco-Stylist, we do not recommend using B Corp as a shopping guide, as its certification alone does not guarantee that a brand meets our standards for ethical and environmentally sustainable fashion. To learn more about this watch our video about how B Corp certified a fast fashion brand.

The brand is also a member of 1% for the Planet, pledging a portion of its revenues to environmental nonprofits. By combining minimalist design with a strong ethical stance, Organic Basics attracted a loyal following who value both style and sustainability. Its innovative use of materials and marketing transparency positioned it as a leading name in eco-conscious fashion.

This reputation, however, continues to evolve as the brand expands and adapts to new challenges in sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Was Organic Basics Acquired by Delta Galil?

In 2022, Organic Basics was acquired by Delta Galil Industries, an Israeli multinational apparel manufacturer. While the acquisition was intended to help Organic Basics scale globally and expand its product lines, it also marked a turning point for the brand’s identity. Delta Galil’s business practices including operations in Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law have sparked criticism from human rights organizations and some ethical consumers.

For a brand that once proudly published factory maps and impact reports, the post-acquisition phase has felt to some like a move from transparency to opacity. Critics argue that Organic Basics now seems more focused on brand growth and market expansion than the uncompromising sustainability and ethical standards it once championed.

In the eyes of loyal customers, the question has shifted from “Is Organic Basics a sustainable brand?” to “Is Organic Basics still the sustainable brand it claims to be?”

Who is Delta Galil?

Delta Galil Industries, the multinational company that acquired Organic Basics in 2022, has faced sustained criticism for its business practices, particularly related to its operations in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. Human rights organizations, including the United Nations and the American Friends Service Committee, have listed the company among those profiting from the occupation highlighting its retail and warehouse activities in settlement areas considered illegal under international law. In addition to its geographic and political entanglements, Delta Galil has been accused of manufacturing military uniforms for the Israeli Defense Forces, leading to boycott campaigns from pro-Palestinian activists and the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement.

The company also faces scrutiny over labor practices, with allegations ranging from the exploitation of low-wage workers to fostering toxic workplace environments within some of its brand subsidiaries.

What the Delta Galil Acquisition Means for Organic Basics?

The acquisition of Organic Basics by Delta Galil Industries in 2022 marked a significant turning point for the Danish brand once celebrated for its radical transparency and strong environmental ethos. While Delta Galil positions itself as a global leader in textiles and participates in sustainability initiatives such as the Fair Labor Association and Textile Exchange, its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance tells a more complex story. With low scores in environmental accountability and persistent concerns about its operations in Israeli-occupied territories, Delta Galil’s track record has been criticized as inconsistent with the values Organic Basics was founded on.

This contrast has sparked concern among longtime supporters of Organic Basics. For a brand that prided itself on its minimal environmental impact, ethical sourcing, and public factory disclosures, being absorbed into a multinational with a history of labor exploitation accusations, weak environmental ratings, and political controversy has raised questions about integrity and direction. While Organic Basics continues to market itself as a sustainable brand, some consumers and critics argue that the brand’s independence and perhaps its ethical credibility has been diluted.

Why Organic Basics Lost Its Sustainability Certification

Organic Basics didn’t fall short on transparency. It wasn’t exposed for greenwashing. It didn’t start using polyester blends or hiding factory conditions. In fact, as far as we can tell, the brand itself hasn’t changed that much.

What has changed is who owns them.

Delta Galil’s continued inclusion in the United Nations database of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements represents a serious ethical violation. It’s not a grey area. These settlements are considered illegal under international law and condemned by the global human rights community. The UN Human Rights Council created this database to hold companies accountable for profiting from, or being complicit in, these violations.

So while Organic Basics might still look like the brand you once trusted—same clean aesthetics, same organic materials—it increasingly resembles a wolf in sheep’s clothing, with money now flowing through a parent company engaged in operations flagged by the UN as contributing to systemic injustice.

For us, that’s not sustainable. That’s not ethical. And that’s why we had to revoke their certification.

How Organic Basics Went from Certified to Failing

Organic Basics didn’t slip because of a lack of effort. In fact, in our last assessment they met key criteria for sustainable materials, labor rights, and environmental accountability.

But when Delta Galil acquired Organic Basics in 2022, the brand’s ethical landscape shifted. Ownership matters—and when that ownership includes ties to human rights violations recognized by the United Nations, we have a responsibility to act.

At Eco-Stylist, we don’t just evaluate brands in isolation. We assess the full supply chain, corporate structure, and ownership ethics. Once Organic Basics became part of a company listed by the UN for profiting from illegal occupation, it could no longer meet the bar for certification.

This wasn’t a decision we took lightly. But when a certified brand is bought out by a company entangled in ongoing human rights violations, maintaining certification would compromise everything we stand for.

Where They Were—Organic Basics Sustainability Rating 2023

In 2023, Organic Basics held a solid Certified rating from Eco‑Stylist, with scores of 3/3 for Transparency, 2/3 for Fair Labor, and 2/3 for Sustainably Made—reflecting both their strengths and areas for continued growth.

• Transparency (3/3) — Rated Excellent:
  Organic Basics shares extensive production details, including their factory locations in Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Austria, and Scotland. As reported in their 2021 Impact Report, they achieved 100% traceability of their Tier 1 sewing factories and 71% traceability of suppliers of raw materials. The brand also discloses environmental and labor certifications for each facility.
• Fair Labor (2/3) — Rated Good:
  They work with certified factories across their supply chain. At least 50% of factories pay a living wage, with some offering additional benefits such as transportation, healthcare, and meals to workers. Room for improvement: broader adoption of fair labor codes, particularly covering all suppliers.
• Sustainably Made (2/3) — Rated Good:
  The brand demonstrates environmental responsibility through carbon transparency, offsetting via One Carbon World, and high ratios of sustainable raw materials (over 90%, with 75% natural and 15% recycled). They’ve also transitioned to reusable, FSC‑certified mailers. There remains room to deepen circularity and ensure fair labor certifications across raw material sourcing.

Together, these scores earned Organic Basics certification—a recognition of the strong foundation they built in sustainable fashion and transparency.

Why We Didn’t Update Their Rating

While Organic Basics was due for a rating update in 2025, we decided not to update their rating because we want to be clear about why we removed them. It’s not because of a change in their sustainability score—it’s because of the connection between their parent company and human rights violations. 

This is no longer a brand we want to support or recommend to you—our readers.

The Declining Quality of Organic Basics

While less of a concern, it’s worth noting that their acquisition also coincides with noticeable changes in product quality, transparency, and pricing concerns echoed by longtime customers. Many have reported that garments produced in recent years feel less durable and wear out more quickly than earlier items, raising questions about the brand’s evolving production standards. 

You can find such customer reviews on Reddit in the following subreddits: r/sustainablefashion

Ethical Alternatives to Organic Basics

If you’re looking for sustainable underwear, basics, or loungewear and no longer feel comfortable supporting Organic Basics, here are three Eco-Stylist Certified alternatives that uphold high standards of ethics, sustainability, and transparency.

1. Pact

A leading accessible brand for everyday essentials, Pact offers underwear, loungewear, and basics with integrity. Their use of GOTS-certified organic cotton, commitment to Fair Trade Certified™ factories, and carbon-offset shipping practices make them a standout for sustainable basics and comfort-minded consumers.

Explore Pact

2. Asket

Known for its commitment to transparency and timeless design, Asket empowers customers with full traceability—meaning you can trace your garment back to its origin—and longevity-focused pieces that resist trend-driven turnover.

Explore Asket

3. MATE the Label

MATE creates clean essentials for women made with non-toxic, natural materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Their entire supply chain is based in Los Angeles, which allows them to ensure both ethical working conditions and lower emissions.

Explore MATE the Label

More Sustainable Alternatives to Organic Basics

Still searching for brands you can trust to align with your values?

Eco-Stylist has vetted over 100 brands for sustainability, ethics, and transparency. Whether you’re looking for organic underwear, low-impact loungewear, or everyday essentials that don’t compromise on values.

To explore even more, check out the full Eco-Stylist Brand Guide.

How Choosing the Right Brand Helps the Community

Choosing the right brand that aligns with ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible practices can significantly benefit both individuals and the broader community. Research indicates that brands committed to social responsibility often experience enhanced customer loyalty, improved brand reputation, and increased employee satisfaction. 

Consumers who support such brands contribute to a cycle of positive impact, encouraging other companies to adopt similar practices and putting an end to fast fashion.