Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Fabric
What is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)?
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an internationally recognized certification global organic textiles standard and GOTS certified clothing. It covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution of all natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, wool, and hemp, as well as blends of these fibers.
The standard includes strict criteria for the use of chemicals, dyes, and other inputs, and requires that products are made from at least 70% organic fibers. GOTS certified clothing also includes social and environmental criteria for workers' rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions, as well as measures to reduce environmental impact.
Products that meet the GOTS standard can carry the GOTS label, which provides assurance to consumers that the product is made from certified organic fibers and has been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Why is GOTS important?
There are several requirements that a company must meet in order to be certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). These include:
GOTS Organic Cotton
Organic Fiber Content: Products must be made from at least 70% organic fibers.
Chemical Use Restrictions: The use of certain chemicals, such as formaldehyde and heavy metals, is prohibited. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are not allowed in the production of the organic fibers.
Processing and Manufacturing Standards: The production process must meet strict environmental and social criteria, including safe working conditions and fair wages for workers.
Traceability and Labeling: There must be traceability of the organic fibers used in the product and the product must be labeled in accordance with GOTS requirements.
Inspection and Certification: The company must be inspected by a third-party certifying body, which will verify that the company is in compliance with the GOTS standard.
Continual improvement: The company must be committed to continual improvement of environmental and social standards and must submit annual reports to the certifying body.
In addition to these requirements, the company must also be in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which it operates. GOTS certified clothing also require that the company should not be involved in any sort of controversial practices such as child labor, forced labor, discrimination, etc.
How to get the GOTS label on your products?
To get the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) label on your products, a company must go through a certification process. The steps for certification are as follows:
GOTS Fabric
Review the GOTS standard: The company should review the GOTS standard to ensure that their products and production methods meet the requirements.
Choose a Certifying Body: The company should choose a certifying body that is recognized by GOTS to perform the certification. The certifying body will provide the company with a detailed list of the certification requirements.
Prepare a Self-Assessment Report: The company should prepare a self-assessment report, detailing how they meet the GOTS standard. This report should include information on the company's production facilities, processes, and products.
On-site Inspection: The certifying body will conduct an on-site inspection of the company's facilities, processes, and products. The inspection will verify that the company is in compliance with the GOTS standard.
Certification Decision: Based on the results of the on-site inspection, the certifying body will make a certification decision. If the company is found to be in compliance with the standard, they will be issued a GOTS certificate.
Label authorization: After certification, the company can use the GOTS label on its products that meet the standard. The company must submit an application for label authorization to the certifying body, which will review the application and authorize the use of the label on the product.
Continual improvement: Once certified, the company must continue to meet the standard and submit annual reports to the certifying body to maintain their certification.
What does a GOTS certification mean to a consumer?
A Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification means that a product has been made from certified organic fibers and has been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification
When a consumer sees the GOTS label on a product, they can trust that:
The product is made from at least 70% organic fibers.
The fibers were grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
The product has been produced without the use of certain chemicals, such as formaldehyde and heavy metals, which are prohibited under the GOTS standard.
The production process met strict environmental and social criteria, including safe working conditions and fair wages for workers.
The product has been traced back to the certified organic farm where the fibers were grown.
The product has been inspected by a third-party certifying body to ensure compliance with the GOTS standard.
Types of Products using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certification
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification can be applied to a wide range of textile products, including:
Clothing, such as shirts, pants, dresses, and jackets.
Home textiles, such as towels, sheets, and blankets.
Baby and children's clothing and textiles, such as diapers and bibs.
Upholstery and drapery fabrics.
Carpet and floor coverings.
Accessories, such as hats, scarves, and gloves.
Bedding products, such as comforters, pillows, and mattress pads.
Technical textiles, such as sports and outdoor wear.
Yarns and threads.
Fabrics, such as cotton, linen, and wool.
It's important to note that to be certified as GOTS, the textile products must meet strict standards for organic production, environmental responsibility, and social responsibility. By choosing GOTS certified products, consumers can play a direct role in promoting responsible and sustainable textile production practices.
FAQ
Is it safe to buy non Global Organic Textile Standard Certified Products?
Buying non-Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified products does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe. However, without the GOTS certification, there is no guarantee that the product was produced in accordance with strict standards for organic production, environmental responsibility, and social responsibility.
Choosing GOTS certified products, consumers can be confident that they are purchasing textiles that were produced in a responsible and sustainable manner, with strict standards for the use of chemicals and waste management, and fair labor practices.
How do I know if the product is Global Organic Textile Standard certified or if only a single component is?
To determine if a product is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, look for the GOTS logo and accompanying text on the product or its packaging. The GOTS logo and text should specify the type of certification, such as "GOTS Certified Organic."
It's important to note that not all components of a product may be GOTS certified. For example, a garment may contain both GOTS certified organic cotton and non-certified synthetic fibers. In this case, the garment would not carry the GOTS logo.
Does Global Organic Textile Standard certified make the product cost more?
In general, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified products can be more expensive than comparable non-certified products due to the added costs associated with certification, such as the fees for third-party certifying agents and the cost of meeting the GOTS's standards for organic production, environmental responsibility, and social responsibility.
Additionally, GOTS certified products may be made with higher quality, organic materials, which can also contribute to higher costs.
Final Thoughts
Overall, GOTS certification is a guarantee for the consumer that the product is not only organic, but also ethically and sustainably produced, which is important for those who are conscious about the impact of their consumption on the environment and society.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an internationally recognized certification for organic textiles that ensures that the products are made from certified organic fibers and produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
When consumers see the GOTS label on a product, they can trust that it is made from at least 70% organic fibers, was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, was produced without the use of certain harmful chemicals, met strict environmental and social standards, and was traced back to the certified organic farm where the fibers were grown.
GOTS certification provides assurance to consumers that the product is not only organic but also ethically and sustainably produced, which is becoming increasingly important for environmentally and socially conscious consumers.