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Global Standards

Labelling tool

Clear and accurate labelling is essential to maintaining the integrity and credibility of GOTS-certified products. This guidance page provides a simple overview to ensure that GOTS references are correct and easy for consumers to understand.  

On-product

Traceability is a key componant of the GOTS system. When a product carries the GOTS label, it must meet strict requirements so consumers and retailers can verify the certification. 

Correct labelling

The logo must remain readable, correctly proportioned and visible at the point of sale. A GOTS product label must always include:

Incorrect labelling

The following are common labelling mistakes. Each violates GOTS requirements and must be corrected before the label is used.

Correct logo color usage

Primary (preferred) option

Secondary option

Black and white option

Monochrome options

Incorrect logo color usage

Off-product labelling

Product page

Only display GOTS Signs next to certified products. There is no need to display Additional Labelling Information next to the logo on the main page - but it must be available on the product listing page.

Product listing

Information online must mach the physical product listing. The exact placement does not matter as long as it is easily visible. Certified product listing must include all of the following:

  • The GOTS logo
  • The correct label grade:
    • “Organic” (95%+ certified organic fibres)
    • “Organic in-conversion” (95%+ certified organic in-conversion fibres)
    • “Made with x% organic materials” (70–94% certified organic fibres)
    • “Made with x% organic in-conversion materials” (70–94% certified organic in-conversion fibres)
  •  Reference to the Certification Body
  • Certification Number of the Certified Entity

Websites

GOTS Signs - the logo and the wordmark - shall not be used in website headers and footers. The GOTS logo may only appear in direct association with certified products or certification-related content.

Social media

The GOTS logo may be used in social posts when promoting certified products or representing a certified entity. It can be shown with or without the Additional Labelling Information (Label grade, Certification Body, Certification), provided that the product detail page or equivalent digital platform includes it.

Physical / Print

The GOTS logo shall be used in print media only when it is directly associated with GOTS-certified products, and where images of those certified products are displayed. The Additional Labelling Information may be omitted on print media provided that an accessible online channel (e.g., online store) displays the full labelling information for the specific products.

Claims

Acceptable claims

  • "This product is GOTS-certified"
  • “This product is made with x% organic / organic-in-conversion materials”
  • “We carry GOTS-certified items – look for the GOTS label on the product listing”
  • “We are GOTS certified, [CB name] [License Number].”

Not allowed

  • “GOTS cotton” “GOTS-certified organic cotton”

Why it’s incorrect: GOTS is not an organic cotton standard. GOTS certification covers the processing of textile goods made with organic fibres — not raw cotton itself.  Organic raw fibres must be certified by an accepted external organic certification before it enters the GOTS chain of custody. 

  • “Made with GOTS-certified fabric/yarn/other components”

Why it’s incorrect: Partial certification cannot be represented as full product certification. If GOTS-certified fabric is sewn in an uncertified facility the chain of custody is broken and the final product is not considered certified.

GOTS benefits

GOTS sets environmental and social requirements for the textile and apparel value chain, backed up by independent third-party certification, from the harvesting of organically produced raw materials to the finished product. 

GOTS key features

  • All Processing Stages
    GOTS sets requirements for the entire textile value chain. This allows traceability starting with the raw material and continuing through all processing stages; spinning, weaving and knitting, wet-processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling and trading until the final distribution of the product. For the end product to carry a GOTS label, every company that is part of the process must be certified.
  • Organic Fibre Content
    GOTS-certified products contain certified natural fibres grown to recognised organic farming standards, which restrict synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and prohibit GMOs. Organic agriculture is a production process that helps sustain the health of ecosystems, soils and people.

  • Made Responsibly 
    GOTS includes human rights and social requirements based on internationally recognised norms, covering areas such as safe working conditions, prohibition of child and forced labour, non-discrimination and responsible employment practices.

  • Chemicals Input Restructions
    GOTS has chemical criteria aimed at protecting the health of workers, the environment and the end consumer. GOTS prohibits allergenic and carcinogenic chemicals, and those that don’t meet rigorous conditions, including flame retardants, PFAS and toxic dyes.
  • Traceable from Field
    The Certification Body and Certification Number on the label allow the product to be traced back through all certified facilities, for complete transparency from fibre to finished product.
  • Third Party Certified
    To preserve the integrity of GOTS-certified products, onsite inspection and certification of processors, manufacturers and traders is performed by independent Third-Party Certification Bodies.
  • Environmental Criteria
    GOTS sets criteria for chemical inputs, wastewater treatment, environmental management practices throughout certified textile production.