The Global Organic Textile Standard (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.
GOTS Version 5.0
The new version of GOTS is a result of a comprehensive stakeholder input process in which various organizations with expertise in organic production, textile processing and social criteria participated. It follows the overall approach of GOTS to define high level verifiable environmental criteria throughout the entire processing chain of apparel and home textiles (including spinning, knitting, weaving, wet processing, manufacturing, and trading) made from a minimum of 70% certified organic fibers and requiring social criteria while still providing for a practical set of requirements that is technically achievable even in large scale industrial textile production and for mass market brands and retailers in order to achieve a considerable environmental and social impact in the textile industry.
The implementation deadline for GOTS certified entities to fully comply with Version 5.0 is 1 March 2018.
Benefit with GOTS Certification:
There are numerous ways in which companies benefit from becoming certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Below we list the top five reasons how and why becoming certified to GOTS supports a company’s business case for sustainability.
RISK REDUCTION
GOTS is a comprehensive risk management instrument for your supply chain.
GOTS sets strict and extensive environmental and social criteria for the entire supply chain
GOTS criteria are explicit
CREDIBILITY
Third party certification serves as independent external verification versus self-claims Certification includes dual quality assurance – onsite inspection and product testing Certification provides the credibility and verification of claims that investors,ü and the public, expect.
EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY
GOTS’ wastewater management and other requirements result in improved eco-efficiency
GOTS’ social compliance management requirements results in improved socio-efficiency
GOTS certification facilitates sustainable supply chain management, cutting companies’ costs as they do not need to trace the whole supply chain themselves
INNOVATION AND DIFFERENTIATION
GOTS certification can grant access to new markets, e.g. public procurement
GOTS is explicitly recognized by governments and leading textile, sport, environmental, and organic organizations worldwide
Sustainability innovation provides added value over conventional products.
SUSTAINABLE MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Enables companies to be market drivers.
Readies companies for the increasingly stringent regulatory climate.
GOTS is recognized as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fiber worldwide.