What is GOTS Certification? A Complete Guide to Organic Textile Standards
Everything you need to know about the world's leading certification for organic textiles—the 5 pillars, label grades, and how to verify authentic GOTS products.
What is GOTS?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the world's leading certification for organic textiles. It requires 70-95% organic fiber content plus strict environmental and social standards across the entire supply chain—from farm to finished product. Unlike other certifications, GOTS covers organic farming, chemical processing, wastewater treatment, AND fair labor conditions in one comprehensive standard.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- GOTS is the gold standard for organic textiles—the only certification covering organic content, environmental processing, AND social responsibility
- Two label grades: "Organic" requires 95%+ organic fibers; "Made with Organic" requires 70%+ (both meet identical processing standards)
- 5 pillars define GOTS: organic fiber content, environmental processing, social responsibility, traceability, and independent verification
- Unlike OEKO-TEX 100, GOTS requires organic content and addresses the entire supply chain—not just final product safety
- Verify certification by checking the license number at global-standard.org
What is GOTS Certification?
Definition
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers. It provides comprehensive, farm-to-finished-product certification covering organic fiber content (minimum 70%), environmental processing criteria, and social responsibility requirements—all verified by independent third-party inspectors.
Unlike certifications that only examine one aspect of production, GOTS is uniquely comprehensive. It's the only processing standard that audits the entire supply chain—from the organic farm where raw materials are grown, through every manufacturing facility, to the finished garment.
This makes GOTS the "gold standard" for consumers who want maximum transparency and assurance that their clothing is genuinely sustainable—not just in materials, but in how it was made and who made it.
Understanding GOTS certification in under 2 minutes
The 5 Pillars of GOTS Certification
What makes GOTS uniquely rigorous? The certification rests on five interconnected pillars that together create a comprehensive sustainability framework:
Organic Fiber Content
Minimum 70% certified organic fibers, grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. Verified organic farming practices.
Environmental Processing
Bans toxic chemicals (azo dyes, formaldehyde, chlorine bleach). Requires wastewater treatment and responsible water/energy use.
Social Responsibility
Fair labor conditions based on ILO standards: no child/forced labor, safe workplaces, freedom of association, fair wages.
Full Traceability
Complete documentation from organic farm to finished garment. Every step of the supply chain is tracked and verified.
Independent Verification
Annual on-site inspections by accredited third-party certifiers ensure every facility in the chain is compliant.
Understanding the Two GOTS Label Grades
GOTS offers two distinct certification levels. Important: The rigorous environmental and social criteria are exactly the same for both grades. The only difference is the minimum percentage of certified organic fibers required.
Highest organic content guarantee. For products made almost entirely from organic fibers.
Allows functional fiber blends (like elastane for stretch) while maintaining strict processing standards.
💡 Shopping Tip
When you see the GOTS logo, you can be confident the product meets the highest processing standards regardless of grade. The choice between "Organic" and "Made with Organic" simply comes down to your preference for organic fiber percentage in the final garment.
GOTS vs. Other Textile Certifications
Different certifications serve different purposes. Understanding these distinctions is essential for making informed purchasing decisions.
GOTS vs. OEKO-TEX 100
OEKO-TEX 100 focuses solely on chemical safety—testing the final product for harmful substances. However, it does not require organic fibers and does not address environmental processing or labor conditions throughout the supply chain.
Think of OEKO-TEX as a final product safety check, while GOTS is a comprehensive audit of the entire journey from seed to shirt.
GOTS vs. Fair Trade
Fair Trade certification focuses primarily on social criteria—ensuring fair wages and safe conditions for workers. However, it does not require organic materials and audits only part of the supply chain.
Fair Trade ensures the people were treated fairly; GOTS ensures the people, the planet, and the organic integrity were all protected.
| Certification | Organic Required? | Social Standards? | Environmental? | Supply Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOTS | ✓ Yes (70%+) | ✓ Mandatory | ✓ Full | ✓ Complete |
| OEKO-TEX 100 | ✗ No | ✗ No | ~ Product only | Final product |
| Fair Trade | ✗ Optional | ✓ Core focus | ~ Partial | Partial |
← Scroll horizontally on mobile to see full table
Bottom Line
GOTS is uniquely comprehensive—it's the only standard combining organic content requirements, environmental processing criteria, and social responsibility into a single, robust certification covering the entire supply chain.
How to Verify GOTS Certification
With greenwashing on the rise, knowing how to verify genuine GOTS certification is essential. Follow this simple 3-step process:
Find the GOTS Logo
Look for the official GOTS logo on the product label. It should include a license number.
Check the Label Grade
Identify whether it says "organic" (95%+) or "made with organic materials" (70%+).
Verify in the Database
Enter the license number at global-standard.org to confirm active certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shop GOTS-Certified Apparel
Every piece in our collection is verified sustainable—from seed to shirt.
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