GOTS
GOTS is an international certification standard that sets environmental and social requirements for textile products made with fibers derived from organic cultivation, from raw materials through processing and labeling.
Contents5 sections
Definition and Overview
GOTS is an abbreviation of Global Organic Textile Standard, a voluntary certification standard for organic textile products. It covers not only textile raw materials but also processes up to product distribution, including spinning, weaving and knitting, dyeing, sewing, and labeling.
Having a certification mark does not simply indicate that the raw material is organic. It is important that the product is manufactured within a certified chain of custody and labeled in accordance with the standard.
Scope and How the Standard Is Understood
In GOTS, labeling categories are defined according to the ratio of organically cultivated fibers contained in the product. It also includes requirements related to processing, such as restrictions on the use of chemical agents, wastewater management, and working conditions.
The main scope is textile products, such as textiles, apparel, and household textiles. However, there are conditions regarding product construction and the handling of auxiliary materials. Even if the textile itself is covered, product specifications including buttons, interlining, and prints are checked individually.
- Origin and composition ratio of organic fiber raw materials
- Management of chemicals used in dyeing and finishing
- Environmental management at processing facilities and consideration for wastewater
- Social requirements related to labor
- Management of product labeling and certification information
Checks for Textile Procurement and Product Development
When procuring textiles, do not judge based only on the GOTS label; confirm the seller's or processor's valid scope certificate. A scope certificate is a document showing which business operators are certified for which processes and items.
Whether a specific shipment is a certified transaction is generally confirmed with transaction documents such as a transaction certificate. Record whether the product number, composition, quantity, shipper/recipient, and certification status match the order details from the time the textile is received.
When outsourcing cutting, sewing, printing, or product washing, you must also confirm the certification scope of each process in order to sell the product with a certification label. If using non-certified processes or auxiliary materials, confirm in advance with the certification body or trading partner whether labeling is permitted.
Notes on Labeling and Certificates
There are specific rules for displaying the GOTS logo, the name of the certification body, license number, and so on. Before using expressions such as "organic" or "GOTS" on hangtags, EC pages, or around care tags, confirm the product's certification status and approval procedure.
Even if a textile contains organic cotton, the textile or finished product is not necessarily GOTS certified. It is necessary to distinguish between claims about the raw material and claims about GOTS certification covering processing and distribution, and to confirm the validity period, applicable items, and applicable business operators on the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the textile is GOTS-certified, can the finished apparel also be labeled GOTS?
Not necessarily. To label a finished product as GOTS, in addition to the certification status of the textile, the manufacturing process, including sewing, printing, product washing, and use of accessories, and the labeling content must comply with the standard. Confirm the certification scope for each process at the planning stage.
What is the difference between organic cotton and GOTS?
Organic cotton is a term that mainly indicates the cultivation origin of cotton raw materials. GOTS is a certification standard for textile products that covers not only raw materials but also processing stages such as spinning, dyeing, and sewing, environmental and social requirements, and labeling management. It is important not to confuse a raw material claim with a product certification.
What should be checked in GOTS-related documents received from suppliers?
On the operator's scope certificate, check the validity period, certification body, and applicable processes and items. For individual textile transactions, verify whether the product number, composition, quantity, and shipper/recipient stated on the transaction certificate and similar documents match the order details, and keep the documents on file.
