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.
") Version 6.0 released: References to OECD Guidelines & Assessment of 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.
'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
"). International Stakeholders with expertise in the field of organic production, textile processing, textile chemistry, and social criteria and industry representatives, NGOs and consumers contributed to the new version 6.0, throughout the last year in several consultation rounds. The complete list of stakeholders invited to contribute and the revision timetable are available [here](http://www.global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=468&mailid=269&Itemid=170). GOTS defines world-wide recognized requirements that ensure third party certified organic status of textiles 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.
Agricultural practices that do not conform to a norm of organic agricultural production.
") cotton and virgin polyester as well as the social compliance management have been maintained, while other criteria became stricter. When it comes to GOTS Environmental Criteria, Product Stewardship and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements have been introduced for approved 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.
"). The newly released test protocol ISO / IWA 32 for GM screening of cotton serves as the recognized screening method of [GMO](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gmo "Organisms whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/genetically-modified-organisms-gmo.html)
") presence. The new version withdraws the relaxation for the additional regenerated and virgin synthetic fibre content for Socks, Leggings and Sportswear. Additionally, Product Quality [Standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") for Colourfastness and Dimensional Stability are now mandatory. Specific new requirements for Tampons and [Food Contact Textiles](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/food-contact-textiles "Any textile articles that are intended to come into prolonged contact with, or are already in contact with, or can reasonably be expected to be brought into contact with or to transfer their constituents to food or water intended for human consumption under normal or foreseeable conditions of use.
") have been included. Regarding GOTS Social Criteria GOTS included more dynamic elements: Certified Entities will now have to calculate the gap of actually paid wages to 'Living Wages' (according to recognized calculations methods). Furthermore, they will be encouraged to work towards closing this gap. Specific references to OECD Due Diligence Guidance and Good Practice Guidance for Social Criteria and Risk Assessment as well as Ethical Business Practises have been explicitly included. "The GOTS Version 6 progressively furthers our Mission. Pursuant to one of the most prolific comment periods in its revision history, GOTS continues to mature in scope, following keen consultations within the GOTS [Standards Committee](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standards-committee "Committee formed by GOTS to guide and advise the GOTS Management and the Advisory Council on matters related to GOTS.
"), external experts and [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.
") from stakeholders. I am delighted with the outcome of these deliberations and am confident that GOTS will continue to remain in the leading position that it is." Rahul Bhajekar, GOTS Managing Director and Coordinator Standards Committee. 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.
") for users of GOTS to fully comply with the new version will be one year. The Standard Version and the corresponding Implementation Manual, as well as the list of changes, are available on the website and can be downloaded. **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](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/genetically-modified-organism "Organisms whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/genetically-modified-organisms-gmo.html)
") (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 [www.global-standard.org](http://www.global-standard.org?acm=19_169) and follow @globalorganictextilestandard on [LinkedIn](http://www.global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=591&mailid=269&Itemid=170), [Instagram](http://www.global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=592&mailid=269&Itemid=170) and [Facebook](http://www.global-standard.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=&urlid=589&mailid=269&Itemid=170). \### 4,144 characters Juliane Ziegler Communication Executive This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. **GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard** [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)