Global Standard Glossary

Carbon Footprint of a Product.
Sum of GHG emissions and GHG removals in a product system, expressed as CO2 equivalents and based on a life cycle assessment using the single impact category of climate change.

A Chemical Formulator places chemical products on the market under own trade name. Generally the recipe, formulation and processing know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier. These chemical products can be manufactured by either the Chemical Supplier itself, or another Chemical Formulator or a toll-manufacturer.

Producing of chemical products on behalf of another Chemical Supplier. The recipe, process technology and know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier, not the manufacturer.

A Chemical Formulator places chemical products on the market under own trade name. Generally the recipe, formulation and processing know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier. These chemical products can be manufactured by either the Chemical Supplier itself, or another Chemical Formulator or a toll-manufacturer.

Purchasing of finished chemical products from a Chemical Supplier and distribution of these products under own brand/trade name and responsibility. Some chemical companies are using the term “sourcing” as synonym for this activity.

One- or two-sided application of coating compounds or foam films to fabric by means of coating machines, rotary screen printing or by means of spray, hot melt and transfer coating methods.

Consumer products that are normally not classified as textile fibre products but containing textile fibre components, such as prams with textile fabrics, bassinets, car seats or furniture with textile fabric upholstery. 

Any substance that is not intended to be present and that is thus charactertized as an impurity, including chemical residues and the presence of genetic material that does not occur naturally.

The presence of a -> Contaminant.

Agricultural practices that do not conform to a norm of organic agricultural production.

Critical non-conformity means a severe violation of the GOTS requirements that requires immediate withdrawal of certification and possibly suspension from the GOTS system, and that involves one or more of the following:
- Illegal activities or evidence of criminal behaviour;
- Non-compliance resulting in, or likely to result in, serious harm to individuals, communities, or the environment or an immediate danger to the life and safety of workers;
- Evidence of deliberate deception, manipulation, or fraud in relation to the standard's requirements.

A substance or mixture that alters one or more functions of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse effects in an intact organism, its progeny, populations or subpopulations.
“Adverse effect” means a change in morphology, physiology, growth, development, reproduction or lifespan of an organism, system, population or subpopulation that results in an impairment of functional capacity, an impairment of the capacity to compensate for additional stress or an increase in susceptibility to other influences.

Source: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/707.

A comprehensive approach to business operations that aligns with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. It encompasses a range of practices and policies that businesses should adopt to ensure they contribute positively to sustainable development, respect human rights, protect the environment and uphold ethical standards throughout their operations and supply chains.

A flexible, flat structure made by interlacing yarns, fibers, or filaments.

Any entity which engages in the primary activity of selling GOTS-Certified fabric (of any length) in a B2B or B2C capacity without any further alteration in any form.