When choosing sustainable and healthy textiles, you might see certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS on labels and wonder: what do these mean, and which one should I trust? Understanding these certifications is crucial to making informed, ethical purchasing decisions.
What is GOTS Certification?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is a comprehensive certification focused on organic textiles and includes strict environmental and social criteria throughout the production chain.
- Scope: Covers all stages from organic fiber harvesting to eco-friendly and socially responsible manufacturing.
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Key criteria:
- Use of at least 70-95% organic fibers (depending on product label).
- Prohibition of toxic chemicals, pesticides, and GMOs during farming and processing.
- Workers’ rights protected: fair wages, safe working conditions, no child or forced labor.
- Environmental impact minimized through wastewater treatment and restricted energy use.
- Certification: Third-party audited annual certification verifies compliance at every step.
Eco Fact: GOTS-certified products guarantee organic and ethical production—not just the absence of harmful chemicals, but also humane working conditions and sustainability.
What is OEKO-TEX Certification?
OEKO-TEX® is a suite of certifications primarily focused on chemical safety and consumer health, with additional certifications addressing social and environmental sustainability.
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Most common standard:
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests textiles for the presence of up to 350 harmful substances.
- Ensures that finished products are safe for human health.
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Other OEKO-TEX certifications:
- Made in Green: Guarantees environmentally friendlier production facilities and safe, socially responsible working conditions. It also provides product traceability.
- STeP: Focuses on sustainable textile and leather production processes at the factory level.
- Organic Cotton Standard: Addresses organic cotton production, but this is less comprehensive than GOTS.
- Certification scope: Can apply to raw materials, intermediate, or finished products depending on the certificate.
- Note: OEKO-TEX does not require organic farming and can certify products with safe levels of certain chemicals used during production.
How to Check: Look for labels such as "OEKO-TEX Standard 100" and note the certification class (Class I is safest for baby products).
Key Differences Between GOTS and OEKO-TEX
| Feature | GOTS | OEKO-TEX |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Organic fibers + social and environmental responsibility | Chemical safety and human health |
| Certification scope | Whole supply chain from farm to finished product | Finished products or production facilities |
| Organic fiber requirement | Yes (at least 70-95% organic fibers) | Optional or partial (depends on certificate) |
| Social criteria | Strict social compliance including fair labor | Included only in some OEKO-TEX variants |
| Chemical restrictions | Prohibits all hazardous chemicals throughout process | Limits hazardous substances in final product only |
| Auditing | Annual, third-party, covers entire production | Testing of product samples or factory audit |
| Transparency and traceability | High – full chain certification | Variable – stronger for Made in Green label |
What to Know: GOTS provides a broader, stricter, and more holistic certification aimed at organic, sustainable, and ethical textiles. OEKO-TEX offers detailed chemical safety testing and certifications that may or may not address sustainability comprehensively.
Why Does Certification Matter to You?
Choosing certified textiles means:
- For your health: Avoiding contact with harmful chemicals that can cause allergies, skin irritation, or long-term health effects.
- For environmental impact: Supporting farming and manufacturing practices that protect ecosystems, reduce waste, and minimize pollution.
- For social responsibility: Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and no exploitation in the supply chain.
- For product quality: Certified products often offer better durability and comfort due to strict processing standards.
Mini Callout: "Organic" without certification can be misleading—certifications like GOTS and OEKO-TEX provide trustworthy assurance.
Takeaway: Which Certification Should You Trust?
If your priority is organic content plus environmental and social responsibility, GOTS certification is the gold standard.
If your main concern is chemical safety in the finished product, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 offers strong assurance.
For the most transparent and ethical choice, consider certifications together—products that are both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified combine the best of organic integrity and chemical safety.
Remember, certifications are tools to help you make responsible choices, but staying informed and asking questions about a brand’s practices is always valuable.
Empower your ethical fashion decisions by understanding what’s behind the labels!
At Design Delight Studio, we believe clothing should be as kind to the planet as it is to your skin. Our apparel is certified by leading global standards like GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, and PETA-Approved Vegan — designed with transparency, comfort, and sustainability in every stitch.
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