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Global Standards

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

The global benchmark for the processing of organic textiles

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a globally recognised certification for textiles made with organic fibres. It combines strict environmental, human rights including social requirements with independent certification across the entire textile processing supply chain.

GOTS starts where organic farming activities ends. GOTS certification covers every step of production, from fibre processing and spinning to wet processing, manufacturing and trading. To label a product as GOTS-certified, all companies involved in its production must be certified by approved independent Certification Bodies.

Which requirements does GOTS define?

  • the use of certified organic fibres
  • chemical inputs and environmental management
  • wastewater treatment and responsible processing
  • Human rights and environmental criteria
  • due diligence criteria based on internationally recognised norms
  • traceability and transparent product flow documentation

GOTS requires annual on-site audits of certified facilities and transaction-based verification systems to help ensure product integrity throughout the supply chain.

Today, GOTS is used by brands, manufacturers, processors, traders and retailers worldwide as a tool to support credible organic textile production and communicate verified claims with greater transparency and consistency. It thus enables textile companies to build credible, compliant, and globally recognised supply chains for organic products.

Helpful links about GOTS

FAQs around GOTS

Which fibres are allowed under GOTS?

GOTS applies to a wide range of certified organic natural fibres. These include vegetable fibres such as cotton, hemp, linen/flax and jute, and animal fibres such as sheep wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca and silk. In addition, the standard permits the use of specific additional fibres that can be blended with organic fibres. The standard covers the entire textile processing and manufacturing supply chain, from fibre processing to finished product.

Do all suppliers in the supply chain need to be GOTS-certified?

Yes. To sell a product as GOTS-certified, each company involved in the processing of the product must be certified by an approved independent Certification Body. This creates one consistent and traceable system from fibre processing to finished product.

How does GOTS verify product integrity and traceability?

A combination of tried-and-tested integrity measures and cutting-edge technologies ensures the transparency, credibility and trust of GOTS certified products. GOTS combines independent certification, annual on-site audits, transaction verification, publicly disclosed enforcement measures and strict chain-of-custody requirements to ensure integrity and traceability throughout the entire supply chain.
Unlike systems based on mass balance approaches, GOTS uses physical segregation and volume reconciliation mechanisms designed to maintain product integrity across all processing and trading stages, further strengthened through collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) on satellite-based cotton monitoring technology. More information is available here.

Is GOTS recognised internationally?

Yes. GOTS is globally recognised and widely used across international textile supply chains and major markets. Its credibility is reinforced by recognition and reference from governments, public institutions and international organisations, including the European Union, the OECD, the United Nations and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), GOTS is also referenced in public procurement frameworks and sustainability guidance used by brands, retailers and manufacturers worldwide.