3.1 Basic info on GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a worldwide standard for organic fibres that covers the entire textile supply chain. A GOTS certification means that the requirements for organic textiles have been met throughout the supply chain, starting with the farmer and ending with the brand holder.
This whole process has to be GOTS certified (not just the supplier) in order for the brand to use the GOTS logo on their product tags.
STRICT AND TWO-PRONGED CERTIFICATION
All parties are inspected according to a comprehensive standard which put simply, is a very long list of zero tolerances, prohibitions and banned inputs. Normally it’s no fun working with strict rules, however as long as the textile industry continues to be one of the most polluting in the world, we have to work with these strict rules until it becomes common practise. All of the GOTS certified factories have unannounced inspections every year.
Below you’ll find examples of banned environmental and/or toxicological inputs: pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, chlorine, PVC, phthalates, bisphenol A, heavy metals, GMO, formaldehyde, solvents.
Normally, organic applies to farming, however in GOTS it’s far more than just farming. It’s the entire process; from farming, harvesting, cleaning, processing, weaving/knitting, dyeing and sewing. The GOTS two-pronged approach covers both environmental and social issues, which apply to the entire supply chain.
