GOTS Press Release - UK +++ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Tops 5000 Facilities in 2017

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Tops 5000 Facilities in 2017 

Number of GOTS certified facilities increase 8,2% to 5,024 in 2017 +++ More than 1.74 million workers reported +++ 

Christopher Stopes, UK Representative

For Immediate Release    
9th March 2018
                                                                                       

The number of facilities certified to GOTS shows an increase of 8,2%, from 4,642 facilities in 2016 to 5,024 facilities in 2017. GOTS certified facilities are located in 62 countries around the world with continuous growth in both production as well as consuming regions.

GOTS certification covers the processing of certified organic fibres along the entire supply chain from field to finished product.

Countries or regions with the largest increase in GOTS certification in 2017 are (in rank order): Bangladesh (+40%), North America (+39%), Portugal (+39%), Europe (+29%).
The top ten countries in terms of total number of certified facilities are: India (1658), Bangladesh (534), Germany (480), Turkey (445), Italy (307), China (292), Pakistan (194), Portugal (180), USA (99) and South Korea (69).

 "The growing number of GOTS certifications shows that GOTS is taken as a solution for managing risks, reputation and market differentiation. We are very pleased with the development in North America. It will have the same pull effect as also seen in Europe by creating increasing capacities in the producing countries” said GOTS Director Claudia Kersten at the GOTS Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

Referring to the GOTS Roundtable in Charleston last week, GOTS Representative in North America – Lori Wyman said, “It is very gratifying to see the North American marketplace for GOTS-certification starting to catch up with our European colleagues! Consumers here are demanding third-party verification on organic claims, and we can provide that assurance to them.”

In 2017 the 19 GOTS accredited independent Certification Bodies reported more than 1,74 million people working in GOTS certified facilities. 

The number of chemicals on the GOTS Positive List also shows an increase of 14% to more than 17,900 from 720 manufacturers. The GOTS Positive List contains tradenames of approved chemicals that must be used by all textile processors for their GOTS certified production.

ABOUT GOTS: GOTS is the stringent voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing) of apparel and home textiles made with organic fibre (such as organic cotton and organic wool), and includes both environmental and social criteria. Key provisions include a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), highly hazardous chemicals (such as azo dyes and formaldehyde), and child labour, while requiring strong social compliance management systems and strict waste water treatment practices.

GOTS was developed by leading international standard setters - Organic Trade Association (U.S.), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany), and Soil Association (UK) to define globally-recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles. GOTS is a non-profit organisation. For more information on the Global Organic Textile Standard, please see www.global-standard.org.

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GOTS
Global Organic Textile Standard