Global Organic Textile Standard

What is the Global Organic Textile Standard - GOTS?

Global Organic Textile Standard - GOTS it is the most widely used and relevant certification of biological origin in the textile sector. The certification GOTS it is mainly used for clothing products, but it is possible to certify any textile product such as sheets, pillows, mattresses, towels, tablecloths, etc.

Independent certification GOTS it is voluntary and is promoted by international bodies such as the Organic Trade Association, IVN, Japanese Organic Cotton Association, Soil Association and other organizations dealing with environmental and social protection.

Get the GOTS certification it is a fairly complex practice for companies that request it, since unlike other certifications of organic origin such as theOrganic Content Standard (OCS), the standards required by the Global Organic Textile Standard they are much stricter.

This is one of the reasons why we consider this certification to be the most important and complete currently present in the textile sector.

We strongly believe in organic, that's why we immediately show you an infographic comparing traditional and cotton organic cotton certified GOTS.

This infographic shows the huge differences between organic and traditional agriculture, that's why we would like to be able to convey the importance oforganic clothing, which currently covers a large part of the sustainable fashion contemporary and that will conquer more and more space in the future.

In fact, we believe that "organic" and "recycling of resources" are the cornerstones on which to base the fashion of the future.

GOTS certification: ethics and environment

Certification Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) it is one of the few that can guarantee ecological and, at the same time, socially sustainable production ethics. Although the certification BlueSign offers similar solutions, it does not include organic farming standards.

Being a voluntary certification, companies that wish to obtain certification GOTS must comply with strict rules environmental and social standards. These standards, imposed by certification, are guaranteed by responsible control bodies and are based on the same organic farming criteria used in the food sector.

All activities and production processes that may have impacts on the environment and on workers must comply not only with the laws in force in the area, but also with the social and environmental management standards established by the GOTS certification.

For example, GOTS provides companies with a list of chemical substances that are less harmful to the environment than those commonly used, excluding over 1000 toxic substances used in the textile sector to produce clothing and accessories.

Certification Global Organic Textile Standard it does not limit itself to guaranteeing the biological origin of textile fibers, but evaluates every single aspect of production: from the cultivation of the raw material to the marketing of the finished product. This holistic approach makes the entire textile supply chain more ethical, sustainable and transparent.

The social impact of textile production is one of the main distinctive elements of GOTS certification compared to other certifications.

GOTS system provides ethical working conditions for employees of the textile supply chain, ensuring respect for the fundamental rights dictated by the United Nations Organization (UN), including:

• Fair wages
• Standard working hours
• Employment contracts
• Health care
• Gender equality

Particular attention is paid to the prevention of child labor, forced labor and various forms of discrimination (gender, race, etc.).

These elements, which may seem "basic" to us Westerners, are essential in developing countries (such as India, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Africa, etc.), where the laws in force do not offer the same level of protection to workers like in the West.

GOTS organic clothing (video)

Organic clothing represents a fundamental piece in contemporary sustainable fashion, and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the most authoritative certification standard currently available.

GOTS Certification Standard

We assume that only a few natural fabrics can obtain certification Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): cotton, wool, pipeline and silk are the most widespread GOTS certified raw materials, but other natural fibers could also obtain this certification, as long as they respect the minimum requirements of organic farming (vegetable fibres) or organic farming (animal fibres).

The two most used organic materials are undoubtedly organic cotton and organic wool.

A fabric can obtain GOTS certification if its composition has at least the 95% organic fibers:

• The remaining 5% of the fibers can be composed of other natural non-organic fibers: standard cotton, wool, hemp, jute, linen, etc.
• Or, 5% of the fibers can be composed of artificial fibers of natural origin: viscose, lyocell, modal, bamboo, etc.
• Or, 5% of the fibers can be composed of other fibers obtained thanks to the recycling of resources.

Le synthetic fibers are not permitted unless they are derived from the recycling of resources/materials or considered "ecological" thanks to the presence of other textile certifications, as BlueSign, Oeko-Tex, Fairtrade.

It can be found commercially GOTS certified organic clothing with labels bearing the words: "Made with 70% organic fibers". To use this label, the product must be composed of at least 70% organic fibers of biological origin:

• The remaining 30% of the fibers can be composed of other natural non-organic fibers.
• Or, 30% of the fibers can be made up of man-made fibers of natural origin.
• Or, 30% of the fibers may be made up of regenerated fibers, recycled synthetic fibers or other synthetic fibers recognized as “little harmful to the environment”.

In percentage less than 10% it may also contain elastane, lycra, polyester and polyamide.

GOTS guarantees ecological packaging and accessories

All products with label GOTS they can only be marketed if they have sustainable packaging made from recycled materials. The same goes for labels, buttons, zippers and other accessories used to make the garment.

Finally, we can state that the entire textile supply chain is kept under strict control, and that certification Global Organic Textile Standard contributes significantly to the reduction ofenvironmental pollution caused by the textile industry.

GOTS for Companies

Are you a producer? You want to get certified Global Organic Textile Standard and apply the GOTS logo on your products? Then you must contact the certifying body for the Italian market: ICEA - Institute for Ethical and Environmental Certification

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