Their mission is “the development, implementation, verification, protection, and promotion of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)” which they have requirements throughout the whole supply chain for both ecological and labour conditions in the textile and apparel industry while using only organic raw materials.

The certification is undertaken by an independent GOTS-Approved certification body and facilities are inspected regularly.

Textiles including fibre products, yarns, fabrics, clothes, home textiles, mattresses, personal hygiene products, and food contact textiles, among others.

The Global Organic Textile Standard applies to textiles including organic fibres while taking into account ecological and social criteria throughout the entire supply chain.

The GOTS certification is built upon four unique features:

1. Organic Fibres: These fibres are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or GMOs. Certification of products can be “organic/in conversion” or “made with X% of organic materials”. For the first one, no less than 95% of the fibre content of the products shall be certified organic. The other 5% can be made of non-organic fibres. If the product is sold under the label “made with X% of organic materials”, then no less than 70% of the fibre content shall be certified organic.
2. Ecological and Social Criteria: Includes assessing the processing and manufacturing from the chemical inputs used to the ethical treatment of workers. Such chemicals include flame retardants, surfactants and glycol derivates to heavy metals and aromatic and halogenated solvents, among others. Socially, the GOTS Certification ensures that working and social conditions are equivalent to those of leading social sustainability standards which include, among others, no discrimination, no child labour nor harassment and violence, a good living wage and health and safety in the workplace.
3. All Processing Stages: All stages in the processing, manufacturing and trading of organic textiles are covered by the GOTS Standard. This way, GOTS eliminated greenwashing. On-site annual inspections occur and the manufacturers must hold a valid certificate of compliance listing the certified products, and the processing. Moreover, Ethical Business Behaviour is a pre-requisite and companies must follow the following criteria, among others:

• Code of Conduct policy
• Companies shall not be involved in any act of corruption, extortion or embezzlement.
• Companies should keep accurate information regarding their activities, structure and performance and shall not falsify any information, nor any act of misrepresentation in the supply chain.

4. Third-Party Certification: The on-site annual inspection mentioned above and the certification of processors, manufacturers and traders is performed by independent Third-Party GOTS accredited Certification bodies. This is to provide a credible source to ensure the integrity of GOTS certified textiles.