GOTS consulting: Global Organic Textile Standard

Introduction to GOTS

GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. Launched in 2006, it provides a common framework for processing organic textiles and responding to demand for consistent criteria across manufacturing and retail.

GOTS addresses the processing of textiles made with certified organic fibres, combining environmental and social requirements with traceability and labelling. Its scope includes processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution. Eligible products contain at least 70% certified organic fibres, with stricter content requirements for the organic label grade. Products can include yarns, fabrics, garments and home textiles; this overview does not cover leather certification.

Purpose of GOTS certification

GOTS establishes shared requirements for organic textiles, linking certified organic raw materials with responsible processing and labelling to support credible information for the final consumer.

Certification can support access to markets that request GOTS-certified textiles. Acceptance depends on the product, certificate scope and customer or market requirements.

September 2026 update: GOTS 8.0 was released in March 2026 and becomes mandatory on 1 March 2027. Confirm the applicable edition and transition arrangements with the certification body.

GOTS - Annual Report 2025 and 2026 standard update

Key GOTS requirements

The following is an introductory summary. Refer to the applicable standard and implementation manual for detailed criteria, exceptions and product-specific provisions.

Composition and traceability

• Fibre content and label grade: the organic grade generally requires at least 95% certified organic fibres; the made with organic materials grade requires at least 70%. Other composition and processing requirements still apply.
• Traceability and separation: identify organic inputs and prevent prohibited mixing or contamination throughout processing.

Chemicals and process safety

• Chemical restrictions: inputs such as formaldehyde, certain heavy metals and brominated flame retardants are restricted under the applicable GOTS criteria.
• Dyes and processing inputs: only inputs meeting GOTS criteria may be used; natural origin alone does not establish compliance.
• Worker protection: hazardous processes such as denim sandblasting are not permitted under the relevant requirements.

Environment, storage and packaging

• Environmental management: maintain policies and procedures to manage and improve the facility's environmental performance.
• Storage and transport: protect organic textiles from prohibited substances and prevent unintended mixing with conventional products.
• Packaging: comply with restrictions on chlorinated plastics such as PVC.
• Paper and cardboard used in retail packaging, labels and tags must meet the applicable recycled-content or responsible-forestry requirements.
• Maintain relevant transport and routing records.

Quality and social responsibility

• Product quality: meet applicable performance criteria, including washing and colourfastness requirements.
• Social requirements: address safe working conditions, prevention of child labour, remuneration, working hours and other applicable worker protections.

Personal-care products

• Personal-care textiles, such as nappies, dressings and feminine-hygiene products, have additional product-specific criteria. The original article refers to 100% organic fibre components and restrictions on barrier materials, genetic modification, dyes and optical brighteners. Confirm the exact criteria and exceptions in the applicable GOTS edition before assessing a product.

GOTS - Key features