Organic Textile (GOTS) Certification

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is a standard covering both environmental and social criteria for textile products containing organic fibre. It covers the whole chain from harvest to final labelling. There are two label levels: at least 95% organic fibre for 'organic', and at least 70% for 'made with organic'. The chemical-input restrictions and wastewater-treatment requirements are particularly strict.

• Yarn, weaving and knitting facilities using organic cotton and natural fibre
• Dyehouses and finishing facilities
• Garment manufacturers
• Brands and retailers selling organic textile products

Voluntary. However, if an 'organic' claim is to be made on a textile product, the basis for the claim must be shown; GOTS is the most widely accepted basis for this claim.

• Fibre criteria: the organic-certified fibre ratio and label levels
• Prohibited and restricted chemical inputs; the input-approval system
• Toxicological and biodegradability criteria for dyes and auxiliaries
• Wastewater-treatment and discharge requirements
• Restrictions on accessories and packaging
• Technical quality parameters (colour fastness, shrinkage)
• Residue testing
• Social criteria: the ILO fundamental conventions, the ban on forced labour and child labour, working hours, wages, the ban on discrimination
• Chain of custody: physical separation and volume reconciliation
• Labelling and claim rules

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100Textile Product Safety
• GRSRecycled Content
• RCSRecycled Claim
• Recycled ContentRecycled Content Declaration
• FSC CoCForest Products
• PEFC CoCForest Products
• Chain of Custody
• ISCC EUBiofuel