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.
") takes decisive and swift actions against proven non-compliances or fraud. There are more than 12,000 GOTS certified facilities worldwide. As is [standard](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") procedure at GOTS, any allegations against a GOTS certified company are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly. This is also the case with ECCHRs concerns against 3 companies based in Xinjiang. - **There are currently no GOTS accredited Certification Bodies operating in Xinjiang since Control Union decided to cease auditing activities in XUAR.** - The certification of one company expired on 3 December 2021, the others expire on 09 January and 15 January 2022 respectively. - **From 23 August 2022, there will be no GOTS certified companies in Xinjiang.\*** - It is important to clarify that [Virtual Audits](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/virtual-audit "A a type of remote audit that is conducted entirely online, using virtual tools and platforms to assess compliance with the relevant Standard criteria.
") (VA) did not exist before the Covid-19 pandemic. They are an exception due to travel and meeting restrictions imposed by health authorities worldwide. All VAs are mandatorily followed up by an in-person [audit](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/audit "A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the Standard's requirements (including environmental and social criteria) are fulfilled by a Certified Entity or applicant for the status of Certified Entity. Audits are conducted by Approved Certification Bodies (see 'Approved Certification Body').
") during the next audit cycle. As soon as the situation allows, all audits will again be conducted as in-person audits. - GOTS does not allow raw fibers that originate from producer projects that have irrefutable gross violations of ILO core labour [standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
"). Thus, GOTS expects the third-party Certification Bodies to consider the origin of the [organic](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/organic "'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.
A document issued by a GOTS-approved Certification Body for GOTS-certified products, verifying their compliance with the Standard. It provides traceability by listing product details, shipment information and confirming integrity through volume reconciliation process.
") – along the entire supply chain up to the ready garment. By doing so, we provide transparency to buyers for their purchasing decisions. GOTS is also currently developing a centralized database which will not only address the origin of raw material but will also cover GOTS’ full chain of custody, from first processing steps to end products. Revision to GOTS 7.0 will commence in spring 2022. GOTS invites all critical stakeholders to share their [input](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/input "General term for all Substances and Preparations directly applied as textile auxiliary agents, inks, dyes or pigments.
") to further improve the GOTS system. \*An earlier version of this statement said there will be no GOTS certified companies in Xinjiang from 16 January 2022. Due to misspelling in a [facility](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/facility "An individual establishment or site where processing, manufacturing, trading or retailing of GOTS Goods is done. It is operated by a Certified Entity and inspected by an Approved Certifier.
")'s address, one facility was not included in the original statement. This facility has a valid GOTS certificate until 22 August 2022. [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)