The Global Organic Textile Standard (abbreviated GOTS) is a standard governing textiles made from organic fibres. Producers of textiles or garments may seek to become GOTS-certified producers of fibres, textiles or garments (referred to as "textile products"), and in so doing, they must adhere to stringent criteria regarding the production of the fibres of the garment, any treatment such as dying, de-sizing or cleaning, and the treatment of workers within the facilities used in such production.

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

The aim of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is to define requirements to ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.

GOTS is recognized as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well.

Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers can become GOTS certified. All chemical inputs such as dyestuffs and auxiliaries used must meet certain environmental and toxicological criteria. The choice of accessories is limited in accordance with ecological aspects as well. A functional waste water treatment plant is mandatory for any wet-processing unit involved and all processors must comply with minimum social criteria. 

Finished or processed textile products sold in the U.S. that imply or leave the consumer to believe that the final product is certified organic must meet either the USDA organic regulations or GOTS.

The International Working Group on a Global Organic Textile Standard is made up of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), The Soil Association (UK), International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN)(Germany), and the Japan Organic Cotton Association.  

CERTIFICATION:

On-site inspection and certification of processors, manufacturers and traders performed by independent specially accredited bodies is the basis of the GOTS monitoring system in order to provide a credible assurance for the integrity of GOTS certified textiles.

HOW TO BECOME CERTIFIED:

Textile processing, manufacturing and trading entities can apply for certification according to the Global Organic Textile Standard. Entities that wish to become certified are requested to contact an appropriate GOTS approved certification body. They are entrusted with implementation of the GOTS quality assurance system and are able to inform about the related procedures and timeline from the initial request through the inspection and certification process. They will be able to provide individual cost estimation for the certification based on the operator’s location, size, fields of operation and other relevant factors.

In principle all GOTS approved certifiers are entitled to offer related inspection and certification services worldwide and each applicant may choose its certification body. Some certifiers operate local offices or work with local representatives in various countries whereas others coordinate all services through their head offices. There are limitations regarding the accredited scope for which a certifier may offer GOTS certification. Certifiers of textile supply chain operators may be accredited to the following scopes:

• Certification of mechanical textile processing andmanufacturing operations and their products (scope 1)
• Certification of wet processing and finishingoperations and their products (scope 2)
• Certification of trading operations and related products (scope 3)