Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

1. Familiarize yourself with the standard: Download and review the current GOTS standard document (Version 8.1 as of 2026) from the Global Standards website. Pay close attention to the ecological and social criteria applicable to your facility type (spinner, weaver, dyer, finisher, manufacturer, trader, etc.).

1. Assess your supply chain: Conduct an internal gap analysis to determine whether at least 70% of your textile fiber inputs are certified organic (e.g., USDA NOP, EU Organic, or equivalent). Map your full supply chain to identify which processing stages need to be included in the certification scope.

1. Contact a Global Standards regional representative: Reach out to the Global Standards representative in your region for initial consultation. They can help clarify requirements and direct you to accredited certification bodies operating in your country.

1. Select an accredited certification body: Choose an approved GOTS certification body from the official list on the Global Standards website. Request a quote — fees vary by facility size, scope, and location.

1. Prepare documentation: Compile all required records including organic fiber input certificates, chemical inventories, wastewater management records, social compliance documentation (worker contracts, wage records, health and safety policies), and transaction certificates for organic material flows.

1. Undergo the on-site audit: An auditor from your chosen certification body will conduct a physical inspection of your facility, reviewing production processes, storage areas, records, and worker welfare practices. Be prepared for interviews with management and workers.

1. Address non-conformities: If the auditor identifies any non-conformities, you will need to implement corrective actions within a specified timeframe and provide evidence of resolution before certification is granted.

1. Receive certification and list on the GOTS public database: Once approved, your facility will be listed on the publicly searchable GOTS certified facilities database, and you may begin issuing transaction certificates for certified products and using the GOTS label.

GOTS evaluates facilities across two primary pillars — ecological criteria and social criteria — applied at every stage of textile processing from fiber to finished product.

Ecological Criteria cover the chemical inputs permitted in processing. All chemical inputs (dyes, auxiliaries, finishing agents) must meet strict toxicological and environmental standards, including restrictions on heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic amines, and other hazardous substances. Wastewater treatment is mandatory: facilities must have functional effluent treatment plants meeting defined quality parameters for pH, temperature, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Packaging materials must be free of PVC, and wet processing facilities must maintain a minimum of 70% certified organic fiber content in the final product to carry the "GOTS Organic" label (a "GOTS Made With Organic" label is available for products containing 70–95% organic fiber).

Social Criteria are based on the key conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and cover: prohibition of child labor and forced labor, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, safe and hygienic working conditions, living wages, reasonable working hours, and non-discrimination. Facilities must have documented social compliance policies and demonstrate implementation through worker interviews and records review.

Input and Traceability Requirements require that all organic fiber inputs carry valid organic certification (e.g., USDA NOP, EU Organic, NPOP), and that transaction certificates (TCs) are issued and maintained for every transfer of certified goods through the supply chain. This chain-of-custody documentation is central to the audit process.

Facility Scope encompasses all entities in the supply chain — ginners, spinners, weavers, knitters, dyers, finishers, cutters, sewers, printers, and traders — each of which must be individually certified if they handle GOTS-certified materials.

GOTS is widely regarded as the gold standard for organic textile certification globally. With over 12,000 certified facilities across more than 70 countries as of 2023, it has achieved a scale and geographic reach that no competing standard has matched. Its dual focus on ecological and social criteria — combined with mandatory third-party auditing — gives it credibility with regulators, retailers, and consumers alike. Major global brands including H&M, Patagonia, IKEA, C&A, and Puma require or strongly prefer GOTS certification from their supply chain partners, making it effectively a market-access requirement for suppliers targeting premium and mid-market European and North American retail channels.

GOTS has strong institutional recognition: it is referenced by the European Commission in the context of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, and its standards are aligned with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and EU Organic Regulation requirements. This regulatory alignment is increasingly important as the EU moves toward mandatory due diligence and green claims legislation (e.g., the EU Green Claims Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive), which will raise the bar for substantiated sustainability claims in textiles.

The competitive landscape includes OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN, Bluesign, and Fair Trade Certified Textiles, but none of these fully replicate GOTS's combination of organic fiber traceability, chemical safety, and social compliance in a single standard. OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN is perhaps the closest competitor in terms of consumer recognition, but it does not require organic fiber content. Demand for GOTS certification is growing, driven by rising consumer awareness of textile sustainability, tightening EU regulations, and the expansion of organic fiber sourcing in Asia (particularly India, which hosts the largest number of GOTS-certified facilities). The standard released Version 8.1 in 2026, reflecting ongoing evolution to address emerging chemical concerns and supply chain transparency requirements.

The Global Organic Textile Standard was developed collaboratively by four leading organic textile organizations: the Organic Trade Association (OTA, USA), the International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN, Germany), the Soil Association (UK), and the Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA). Work began in the early 2000s in response to a fragmented landscape of national and regional organic textile standards, which created confusion for manufacturers and brands operating across borders. The first version of GOTS was published in 2006, establishing a unified international framework for the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and trading of textiles made from certified organic fibers.

The standard is governed by the International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard (IWG), which includes representatives from the founding organizations and other stakeholders. Global Standard gGmbH, a German non-profit company based in Stuttgart, was established to manage the day-to-day operations of the standard. Major revisions have been released over the years — Version 5.0 (2017) introduced significant updates to social criteria and chemical requirements; Version 6.0 (2020) expanded scope and tightened chemical restrictions; and Version 7.0 (2023) further aligned with international regulatory frameworks. In 2026, the organization rebranded as "Global Standards" to reflect its expanded portfolio, which now includes the Global Recycled Textile Standard (GRTS) alongside GOTS. Version 8.1 was announced in July 2026, continuing the standard's evolution to address emerging sustainability challenges in the textile industry.