'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
") ([GOTS](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots "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.
")) UK Round Table Generated a Sense of Common Purpose** **Press Release **London, 6th December 2019**** At the GOTS UK round table, organized by Christopher Stopes GOTS Representative to the UK, held on 4th December in London, the challenges and opportunities of going for GOTS were discussed by 40 invited industry leaders. Amongst them large and small [brands](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/brand "A registered or unregistered trademark or other sign other than the GOTS Signs.
The term, in context, can also refer to an organisation that controls the design, development, and purchase of final products for sale under their own name. In that context, brands may sell to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to consumers. This does not include organisations who sell a branded intermediate product for use in further processing steps.
A business entity or an online marketplace selling directly and exclusively to an end consumer (DTC operator).
"), start-ups and fledgling businesses. All of the participants are involved in implementing [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.”
") initiatives and many are already working as part of the GOTS-certified supply chain. Sustainable cotton expert Simon Ferrigno, writer for EcoTextile News and author of the forthcoming insiders-guide to cotton sustainability, gave an inspiring account of the urgent need for change in the industry, alongside the challenges and opportunities. Christopher Stopes set the focus on ‘GOTS why and how?’. Two key outcomes of the four round table discussions were - firstly to engage and communicate more clearly with consumers about the benefits of GOTS, and secondly to get more [manufacturers](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/manufacturer "An entity in the manufacturing chain (sewing industry or so-called CMT (cut, make, trim) industry up to labelling and final packing) of GOTS Goods.
") to certify to GOTS to grow the market. Jenny Hulme, Head of Buying at the pioneering GOTS-certified fashion brand People Tree said: "It was great to learn more about the benefits of organic products, meet with likeminded professionals and discuss together how we can bring more of these amazing, sustainable fibres to market." The GOTS regional Representatives organize events around the world to bring together stakeholders and to receive feedback on the specific needs of market participants. Save the date for the next UK GOTS round table taking place alongside Pure London on 10th February 2020. For more information and participation please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [**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 certified 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, from field to finished product. GOTS is a non-profit organisation which is self-financed. For more information please see ](mailto:stopes@global-standard.org)[www.global-standard.org](http://www.global-standard.org/?acm=19_169) and follow @globalorganictextilestandard on [LinkedIn](http://global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=591&mailid=261&Itemid=170), [Instagram](http://global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=592&mailid=261&Itemid=170) and [Facebook](http://global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=589&mailid=261&Itemid=170). \### 2,834 characters The [GOTS logo](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-logo "The garment icon, embedded into the circle element and surrounded by the letters 'Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS', displayed only with the allowed colours.
") is available for [download](http://global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=587&mailid=261&Itemid=170). Christopher Stopes Representative to the UK [ ](mailto:stopes@global-standard.org) **GOTS Global Organic Textile [Standard](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
")** [ ](https://gots.vorschau.website/) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)