# Global Standard Glossary - [All](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary) - [A](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/A) - [B](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/B) - [C](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/C) - [D](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/D) - [E](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/E) - [F](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/F) - G - [H](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/H) - [I](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/I) - [J](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/J) - [K](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/K) - [L](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/L) - [M](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/M) - [N](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/N) - [O](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/O) - [P](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/P) - [Q](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/Q) - [R](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/R) - [S](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/S) - [T](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/T) - [U](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/U) - [V](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/V) - [W](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/W) - [X](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/X) - [Y](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/Y) - [Z](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/Z) | Term | Definition | |---|---| | [ Genetically modified organism](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: ) | | [ Global Standard gGmbH](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/global-standard-ggmbh) | Mission-driven, non-profit legal entity, operating voluntary [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.”

") [standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "

standard glossary text

"). Mission: to ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability [standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "

standard glossary text

") and related activities. | | [ Global Standard gGmbH](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/global-standard) | The legal entity operating the Global [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.

") Textile Standard programme; it conducts all activities of the licensing system and is proprietor of the registered trademarks ([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.

") Signs). Its founders are: International Association Natural Textile Industry, Japan Organic Cotton Association, Organic Trade Association, Soil Association. | | [ 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: ) | | [ 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](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/organic-fibres "

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"), covering environmental criteria, [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)

"), social criteria and business conduct. | | [ GOTS Additives](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-additives) | Chemical [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.

") (e.g. colourants, textile auxiliaries) and [accessories](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/accessories "

Items that are added to supplement GOTS Goods for required functional or for fashionable reasons. Most commonly used Accessories are listed in Section 3.3. Accessories also include trims, and in certain cases the two terms are used interchangeably depending on the specific component. The processing of those Accessories is not under the direct scope of the GOTS on-site certification system. GOTS criteria that applies to Accessories are listed in Sections 3.3 and 5.2.8.

") (e.g. buttons, lace) approved under GOTS through the issuance of GOTS Letters of Approval are collectively known as [GOTS Additives](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-additives "

Chemical inputs (e.g. colourants, textile auxiliaries) and accessories (e.g. buttons, lace) approved under GOTS through the issuance of GOTS Letters of Approval are collectively known as GOTS Additives.
While chemical inputs are approved by GOTS Scope 4 certifiers, accessories are approved by GOTS Scope 1 certifiers. 

"). While chemical inputs are approved by GOTS Scope 4 certifiers, accessories are approved by GOTS Scope 1 certifiers. | | [ GOTS Approved Accessories ](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-approved-accessories) | Accessories (e.g. buttons, lace) approved under GOTS through the issuance of GOTS Letters of Approval by a GOTS Scope 1 certifier. | | [ GOTS Approved Chemical Inputs ](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-approved-chemical-inputs) | Chemical inputs (colourants, textile auxiliaries) approved under GOTS through the issuance of GOTS Letters of Approval by a GOTS Scope 4 certifier. | | [ 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](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/certified-entity "

Processor, manufacturer, trader or retailer of GOTS Goods certified by an Approved Certifier.

") and certified by an [Approved Certifier](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/approved-certifier "

An Approved Certification Body or Approved Certifier is a certification body that has been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body. By signing a con tract with Global Standard gGmbH, they are permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard within a designated geographical area and for specific scopes of the Standard. An updated list of Approved Certifiers and their scopes is available on the GOTS Website.

"). | | [ GOTS Icon](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-icon) | The garment icon, embedded into the circle element. | | [ 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. | | [ GOTS Logo Sign](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-logo-sign) | The garment icon, embedded into the circle element and surrounded by the letters 'Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS', displayed only with the allowed colours. | | [ GOTS Picture Mark](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-picture-mark) | The garment symbol, embedded into the circle element and surrounded by the letters 'Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS', displayed only with the allowed colours. | | [ GOTS Signs](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-signs) | The Logo and the Word Sign registered as a certification mark. | | [ GOTS Symbol](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots-symbol) | The garment symbol, embedded into the circle element. |