GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
The leading standard for organic fibre textiles, covering processing, chemistry and labour.
What it is
The Global Organic Textile Standard certifies textiles made from certified organic fibres across the whole supply chain — ginning, spinning, weaving, wet processing, manufacturing, labelling and trading. It combines three things most textile labels keep separate: verified organic fibre content, restrictions on the chemistry used in dyeing and finishing (no chlorine bleach, no azo dyes releasing carcinogenic amines, no heavy-metal or formaldehyde inputs, plus wastewater treatment requirements), and social criteria based on ILO core conventions covering forced labour, child labour, freedom of association, safe working conditions and living-wage progression.
How it's verified
Independent GOTS-accredited certification bodies inspect every processing and trading stage annually, on site, and issue transaction certificates that let a finished garment be traced back to the certified fibre. Residue testing is used where contamination risk exists, and social compliance is audited alongside the technical inspection rather than self-declared.
What to look for
The GOTS logo alongside the certifier's name and a licence or certificate number, plus the wording 'Organic' or 'Made with X% organic'. Certified suppliers are listed in the public database at global-standard.org, which is the fastest way to confirm a claim.
Watch out for
'Organic cotton' with no certifier or number is unverified, and a GOTS-certified fabric does not make the finished garment GOTS-certified — the sewing facility has to be in scope too. Watch for the 70% 'Made with organic' grade being marketed as if it were fully organic.
What it doesn't cover
GOTS does not certify farms — the organic fibre must already be certified to a recognised farming standard such as USDA Organic or EU Organic before GOTS picks it up. It also does not measure carbon footprint or garment durability, and its two label grades differ: 'Organic' requires at least 95% certified organic fibre, while 'Made with organic' requires only 70%.
Top GOTS-certified products
The highest-scoring products in our database that carry GOTS certification.
Zabavoa's Eco-Friendly Bibs are organic, non-toxic, and guilt-free, perfect for parents looking for eco-conscious feeding solutions. These stylish bibs are made from 100% organic cotton and are free from harmful chemicals.
Frequently asked
What does GOTS certified mean?+
It means the textile contains at least 70% certified organic fibre (95% for the top 'Organic' grade) and that every processing stage was independently audited against GOTS rules on chemical inputs, wastewater and worker conditions.
Is GOTS better than OEKO-TEX?+
They answer different questions. GOTS verifies organic fibre plus processing chemistry and labour standards; OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 tests the finished textile for harmful residues whatever the fibre. GOTS is broader, OEKO-TEX is the stricter residue test. Many of the best textiles carry both.
Does GOTS guarantee fair wages?+
It requires ILO-based social criteria — no forced or child labour, freedom of association, safe conditions, and a documented policy of progress toward a living wage — but it is not a minimum-price scheme like Fair Trade.
How can I verify a GOTS claim?+
Look up the certifier and licence number from the label in the public database at global-standard.org. If the brand cannot name a certification body, the claim is not GOTS.