GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD

The global organic textile standard is the main and most important international standard in the textile industry. It is issued by the GOTS International Working Group including Internationale Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN, Germany); Soil Association (Soil Association, United Kingdom); The Organic Trade Association (USA); The Japanese Organic Cotton Association (Japan).

The main goal is to show the customer is a certain product truly organic, tracking the process from its very beginning of production (collection of raw materials), environmentally and socially responsible production to the labelling, guaranteeing the credibility of the buyer.
It has four assessment criteria:
           • Organic fibres - The textile product bearing the GOTS label must contain at least 70 % certified organic fibres, an organic grade product must contain at least 95 % certified organic fibres. 
Organic fibres are natural fibres grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides and GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) according to the principles of organic farming. Organic agriculture is a manufacturing process that takes care of both  human health and ecosystems.
          • Environmental and social criteria – In order to build a truly sustainable textile industry, GOTS evaluates the processing and production of textiles on the basis of both environmental and social criteria. This means assessing everything from the chemical treatments that are used to the ethical treatment of workers. To become gots certified, it is mandatory to meet all the criteria.
          • All stages of production – The Standard covers the processing, manufacture, packaging, labelling, marketing and distribution of all textile products made of at least 70% certified organic fibres. The GOTS certification system starts with the first step for processing in the textile supply chain. The processing of textiles is based on the conversion of fiber into yarn and yarn into fabric. For example, for cotton, the ginning is the first stage of processing, during which the seeds are removed from the cotton balls. The cultivation of organic fibres, the initial production, is covered by any international or national standard for organic fibres approved by the IFOAM standard family.
          • Third- party certification– Organic Textiles is based on organic fibers, GOTS certification covers the processing, production and trade in organic textiles. Certification of fibre production is based on recognised international standards that are approved in the IFOAM family standards.
On-site inspection and certification of processors, producers and traders shall be carried out by independent accredited GOTS certification bodies on site and shall form the basis of the GOTS monitoring system. It serves to provide reliable assurance of the integrity of GOTS certified textiles.

 

Gazzal are GOTS certified