'Organic' is a regulated term used to distinguish systems of managed production and products derived therefrom that adhere to principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, and which are certified compliant to an organic standard's regulations by an Approved Certification Body.
GOTS defines organic textiles as being made with fibres from organic agriculture systems that are certified to one of the IFOAM Family of Standards, and that are processed in socially and ecologically responsible ways, in alignment with organic principles.
standard glossary text
") is pleased to announce the release of [GOTS Version 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf), which features an expanded scope of environmental and social criteria while maintaining a [standard](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") that is practicable for industrial production and appropriate for a wide range of products. During the regular year-long revision process, international stakeholders with expertise in organic production, textile processing, textile chemistry, [human rights](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/human-rights "Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. (Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
") and social criteria, as well as representatives from industry, NGOs and civil society organisations, contributed to the new [Version 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) through multiple consultation rounds. Final decisions were made by the multistakeholder [GOTS Standard Revision Committee.](https://gots.vorschau.website/the-standard/gots-revision#standards-revision-committee) [GOTS Version 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) provides a comprehensive solution for companies who want to produce organic textiles ensuring compliance with environmental and human rights due diligence along the entire supply chain, from field to finished product. With full [traceability](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/traceability "The ability to trace the origin of an object back to its source.
In a GOTS context, the ability to trace a GOTS Good as it moves through its supply chain.
The worldwide leading voluntary sustainability standard for the post-harvest textile value chain for certified organic fibres, covering environmental criteria, human rights, social criteria and business conduct.
") certification provides an efficient means of verifying genuine [sustainability](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/sustainability "In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
") efforts. [GOTS 7.0 ](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf)introduces new requirements to conduct **risk-based due diligence** of Certified Entities’ own operations and their supply chains based on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and the OECD guidelines. The Social Criteria section was substantially revised to include a broader **human rights-focused approach**. GOTS 7.0 now allows **recycled [organic fibres](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/organic-fibres "Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet
")** as additional materials. Key requirements, such as certified organic fibre content, a **general ban on** **toxic and harmful chemicals such as PFAS**, [conventional](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/conventional "Agricultural practices that do not conform to a norm of organic agricultural production.
") cotton and virgin polyester restrictions, and social compliance management, are maintained in [GOTS Version 7.0.](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) “[GOTS Version 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) represents a major leap forward for processing organic textiles” says Rahul Bhajekar, GOTS Managing Co-Director, and adds, “The new revision process was the most inclusive in GOTS history, with over 600 [inputs](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/input "General term for all Substances and Preparations directly applied as textile auxiliary agents, inks, dyes or pigments.
") received during two public consultation periods. Version 7.0 offers solutions for creating truly responsible supply chains, setting a benchmark for the textile industry. I am proud of the progress made that will advance sustainable textile processing practices worldwide.” Standard Version 7.0 can be downloaded on the GOTS website. Some of the changes in Version 7.0 include: - GOTS and the Manual for the Implementation of GOTS were restructured, and sections were grouped to reflect the standard’s scope. - New due diligence criteria ensures that Certified Entities address their actual and potential negative impacts on human rights and the environment. - GOTS Environmental Criteria, Product Stewardship, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements will also apply to the [subcontractors](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/subcontractor "An entity in the supply chain of GOTS Goods performing job work (in the field of processing or manufacturing) for a Certified Entity without becoming the proprietor of the GOTS Goods. A Subcontractor may be independently certified to GOTS.
") of chemical [formulators](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/formulator "An organisation involved in manufacturing, producing or creating a mixture of chemical Substances blended together (Formulation) to be used for textile processing.
"). - Criteria for the incoming organic material have been made stricter. - Quinoline is included among the prohibited [substances](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/substances "Chemical elements and their compounds as they occur in the natural state or as produced by industry.
") and some existing restrictions have been made tighter such as of “aniline, free”, residue limit is decreased to 20 mg/kg from 100 mk/kg. - GOTS 7.0 reduces the permissible quantity of recycled synthetic (polymer) fibres in its certified products, taking into account the disadvantages associated with recycled synthetics, such as [microplastics](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/microplastics "Based on the working definition of ECHA: ‘Microplastic’ means a particle containing solid polymer, to which additives or other Substances may have Microplastics been added, and where ≥ 1% w/w of particles have all dimensions 1nm ≤ x ≤ 5 mm, or a length of 3nm ≤ x ≤ 15 mm and length to diameter ratio of > 3. Natural polymers that have not been chemically modified are excluded, as are polymers that are (bio)degradable or have a water solubility > 2 g/L. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/b56c6c7e-02fb-68a4-da69 0bcbd504212b
") and poor quality. - In the pursuit of circularity, GOTS will allow use of recycled [GOTS Goods](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-goods "Textile goods (finished or intermediate) produced in compliance with GOTS (and properly labelled, as applicable) by a Certified Entity and certified by an Approved Certifier.
") waste as an additional fibre in its certified products. - GOTS Human Rights and Social Criteria will now require Certified Entities to respect internationally recognised human rights protocols, including the International Bill of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties. - Criteria concerning Discrimination, Violence and Harassment were revised to make them more comprehensive and include the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention (C190). - Certified Entities are now required to develop a plan to cover the living [wage gap](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/wage-gap "The difference between average Living Wage and Average Wages Paid to
Workers in a Certified Entity.
Regarding all aspects of health and safety in the workplace, with a strong focus on the primary prevention of hazards. The health of workers has several determinants, including risk factors in the workplace leading to cancers, accidents, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, circulatory diseases, stress-related disorders and communicable diseases.
") criteria were revised to consider best international practices and recommendations from the ILO. After the [transition period](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/transition-period "The time period between the publication of a new version of the Standard and its effective date.
") GOTS Version 7.0 will be fully effective as of 1 March 2024. Please click the following links to view the related documents: - [GOTS Version 7.0 ](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) - [Manual for the Implementation of GOTS 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/Manual_for_the_Implementation_of_GOTS_V7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) - [Change Log GOTS 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/Change_Log_GOTS_7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) - [Change Log Manual for the Implementation of GOTS 7.0](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/Change_Log_Manual_for_the_Implementation_of_GOTS_V7.07.0__SIGNED_.pdf) - [Guideline for the new structure of GOTS 7.0 ](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/Guideline_for_the_updated_numbers_of_GOTS_V7.0_sections__SIGNED_.pdf) [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)