• GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres.
• GOTS includes both ecological and social criteria.
• GOTS is backed up by independent certification.
• Every single step – from field to fashion - must be certified in order for the final product to carry the GOTS label.
• GOTS is an independent, self-funded, non-profit organisation.
• In this way, the GOTS puts an end to greenwashing.

GOTS is a comprehensive standard that makes a ‘full product claim’. It sets detailed environmental and social criteria throughout the entire textile supply chain - from field to fashion.

Many other standards/certifications only trace the organic fibre flow throughout the textile supply chain. This allows an organic ‘fibre claim’ in the final textile product but without any requirement to meet environmental or social criteria in processing.

GOTS sets the benchmark for an international common understanding of environmentally friendly production systems and social accountability in the organic textile sector.

Find out more on how GOTS compares to others certifications/labels.

 

Over 12,000 certified facilities (+19% to 2020) were reported in 2021, despite the continuing limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

GOTS is a global standard with certified facilities in 79 countries. GOTS Representatives are located in all major markets across the globe.

The development of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) started in 2002 when representatives of organic cotton producers, the textile industry, consumers, standard organisations and certifiers discussed the need for a harmonised organic textile standard that would be globally recognised. If you would like to find out more about our history, please click here.

As a self-funded non-profit organisation, all income is used to reach our vision and mission. GOTS is independent of outside economic interests. GOTS receives annual fees from each certified facility, set at only €150. GOTS applies for public funding for larger projects.

Organic fibre production is not directly covered by the GOTS certification system, as GOTS itself does not set standards for organic fibre cultivation. Instead, the cultivation of organic fibres is under the scope of organic farming standards, many of them defined by national governments.

For organic fibre production, a certification to the IFOAM Family of Standards for the relevant scope of production is required. IFOAM has its own accreditation system. The standards approved under the IFOAM family of standards are officially endorsed as organic and include both private and government regulations.

A textile product carrying the GOTS label must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres, a product with the label grade grade 'organic' must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.