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If you're looking to buy organic clothing, you've probably heard of GOTS. Maybe you know the logo or what it stands for, but if you haven't had a chance to learn more about GOTS, we recommend you read on.  Here we have compiled everything you need to know about GOTS as a GOTS certified organic baby and children's clothing brand.

GOTS, the abbreviation for Global Organic Textile Standard, is a standard that determines the organic status of textile products from raw material extraction to labeling. These standards were developed to give consumers peace of mind that textile products are manufactured under environmentally friendly and fair conditions. GOTS certification is one of the most recognized organic standards in the world. Certification standards are particularly important in the global textile industry to ensure that garments are manufactured using sustainable processes. Certificates and quality marks prove that textiles are produced under environmentally friendly and socially acceptable working conditions. In this context, GOTS shows that the textile brand uses human, animal and environmentally friendly methods in resource use, production and distribution.

GOTS was launched by four recognized organizations: Organic Trade Association (OTA, USA), International Association of the Natural Textile Industry (IVN, Germany), The Soil Association (UK) and Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA, Japan). Two of these associations (IVN and JOCA) are textile industry organizations, while the other two (OTA and Soil Association) are organic farming and food industry organizations. These organizations have extensive experience in promoting organic farming and have jointly developed processing standards for organic textiles. GOTS was born out of the desire for international recognition of these standards.

Since its launch in 2006, GOTS has proven its practical applicability. Strict guidelines and certification procedures apply to the GOTS seal. To become GOTS certified, the entire processing and production chain (from post-harvest processing to sewing, packaging and labeling) and B2B distributors (distributors who sell to other companies such as importers, exporters or wholesalers) must do so adhere to strict processes.  Every raw material producer, processor, textile manufacturer, trader, importer, brand and player in the textile industry can obtain the GOTS certificate.

GOTS was created for ecologically and socially responsible textile production and sets various requirements to ensure this. GOTS has different classifications.  The label class “made with organic” means that the fabric contains at least 70% organic fibers.  The “organic” quality class means that the fabric contains at least 95% organic fibers.  The basic requirements that must be met at the production stage to obtain the GOTS certificate are based on the following objects:

• Presence of a wastewater treatment system as part of an environmental management program
• Compliance with the GOTS social criteria based on the fundamental standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO)
• Implementation of a written environmental policy
• Maintain complete and comprehensive records of wastewater treatment, including wet treatment facilities, chemicals, energy, water usage and sludge disposal
• Treatment of wastewater from all wet treatment plants in an external functional sewage treatment plant

All chemical inputs (such as dyes, additives and process chemicals) are evaluated in GOTS-certified products; These input materials must meet basic toxicity requirements.  The use of toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are prohibited. There are also restrictions on the use of accessories. Raw materials, intermediate products, finished textiles and accessories must meet strict restrictions on unwanted residues. The packaging material must not contain PVC.  As part of the certification, an independent and private certification body carries out an annual on-site inspection of the processor, manufacturer or dealer's facilities, monitors the product flow of the organic fibers, evaluates all raw materials and accessories used and ensures compliance with social guidelines.

GOTS is a dynamic standard that stimulates continuous progress in the development of better textile processing methods. The GOTS organization updates the standard regularly, relying on the advice of international interest groups and experts. A revision process takes place every three years in which GOTS collaborates with international stakeholders. The first version of GOTS was released in 2005, the latest version of GOTS, GOTS 6.0, was released in 2020.  Although the GOTS criteria evolve with each version, GOTS certified products generally guarantee the following things:

sustainable production

One of the main objectives of the certificate is to ensure that all stages of the production process are sustainable, from harvesting the cotton to making the clothing.  For this reason, all raw materials must be harvested from sustainably managed companies. Additionally, this certification focuses on water management.  A company applying for GOTS certification must have a closed water circuit and a water filtration system.

Environmentally friendly and non-toxic materials

Products eligible for certification must be free of toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  All additives must be biodegradable and GOTS compliant. A company applying for GOTS certification must have an environmental protection policy. The GOTS seal guarantees that the garment is environmentally friendly and does not pose a risk to human health. All materials are subject to strict controls to ensure that no unwanted residue is left on GOTS certified garments.

Fair working conditions

GOTS certification is not only about sustainable, environmentally friendly production, but also about maintaining fair working conditions for employees. This certificate guarantees that the products are manufactured under fair, free, hygienic, safe and non-discriminatory conditions, without child labor, in compliance with legal working hours and for a wage that enables a dignified life.

So how do you know if a product is GOTS certified? To understand this, you need to pay attention to the labeling on the product. The GOTS marking should be placed on the product in such a way that the consumer can recognize it at the time of purchase (e.g. on the packaging and/or label). Accurate and complete GOTS labeling includes the trademarked GOTS logo (or the inscription "Global Organic Textile Standard"), the classification of the GOTS label ("organic" or "organic"), details of the certification body and its license number and/or the name of the certified body. The marking may contain the license number of the end product and/or the name of the supplier (distributor, manufacturer), as the retailers themselves are not required to be certified.  Consumers can search for the certified organization in the database of GOTS certified suppliers by entering the license number (or name) indicated on the GOTS seal in the free text field.

From now on, when you see the GOTS logo on a garment, you know that it was made in a sustainable, non-toxic way and with respect for the people involved. 

So you can dress your child with Walkiddy products without any worries.