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Key Features of GOTS

Full value chain certification

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) requires certification of all processing stages, from certified organic fibre processing to the finished product. Every company involved must comply with the same criteria.   

This ensures integrity across the entire supply chain and prevents partial or misleading claims. 

Organic fibre requirements

GOTS-certified products must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres. 

GOTS offers two label grades: 

  • Made with Organic Materials: at least 70% certified organic fibres. 
  • Organic: at least 95% certified organic fibres. 

Organic fibres entering the GOTS value chain must be certified organic to one of the IFOAM Family of Standards. This means that these fibres are produced according to recognised organic agriculture standards, without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or GMOs. 

This ensures a reliable and verifiable organic raw material basis. 

Environmental criteria 

GOTS established strict environmental and chemical criteria across every stage of textile processing, including: 

  • Wastewater Treatment 
  • Resource Efficiency 
  • GHG Emission Management 
  • Chemical Input Restrictions 
  • Sustainable Processing Requirements  
  • Product Safety and Durability  

Together, these criteria reduce environmental impact and uphold responsible production practices throughout the certified value chain. 

Human rights including social criteria 

GOTS includes comprehensive human rights including social criteria aligned with internationally recognised norms and frameworks:  

These criteria cover: 

  • Safe and hygienic working conditions 
  • Prohibition of child labour and forced labour 
  • No discrimination, harassment and violence  
  • Freedom of association and collective bargaining 
  • Decent working time, remuneration and responsible employment practices  

These criteria help safeguard workers’ rights and support more responsible practices across certified textile supply chains. 

Independent third-party certification 

Certification is conducted by accredited Certification Bodies through regular on-site audits. These audits verify compliance with all GOTS criteria across the supply chain and include the review of relevant operational and production records. This generates verified information that can support transparency and reporting needs while providing objective, credible, and internationally recognised verification. 

Traceability and transaction certification 

GOTS ensures full traceability through documented and verified product flows. Transaction Certificates confirm that materials and products move through certified supply chains. This enables transparency and verification at every stage. 

Due diligence and compliance framework 

GOTS integrates a structured, risk-based due diligence approach aligned with international guidance and evolving regulatory expectations. 

This supports companies in: 

  • identifying and assessing actual and potential risks taking appropriate prevention and mitigation measures 
  • preparing for better compliance with regulatory requirements. 

This enables Certified Entities to respond to evolving environmental and human rights due diligence legislation. 

A consistent system across global supply chains 

All GOTS-certified entities operate within the same system, using harmonised criteria, verification processes, and traceability mechanisms. This enables companies to apply one consistent system across suppliers, regions and markets. 

Result: reduced complexity, increased transparency and reliable certification.