GOTS Certified Cotton

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. A GOTS certified product must meet the following environmental and social criteria: 

ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA 

• Organic fibre must be clearly identified at all stages in the process
• All chemical inputs (e.g. dyes, auxiliaries and process chemicals) must be evaluated and meet basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability
• Prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their enzymes
• Bleaches must be oxygen-based (no chlorine bleaching)
• Wet processing units must keep full records of the use of chemicals, energy, water consumption and waste water treatment, including the disposal of sludge. The waste water from all wet processing units must be treated in a functional waste water treatment plant
• Packaging material must not contain PVC. Paper or cardboard used in packaging material, hang tags, swing tags etc. must be recycled or certified according to FSC or PEFC

SOCIAL CRITERIA

• Social criteria must be met by all processors and manufacturers
• Employment is freely chosen
• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
• Working conditions are safe and hygienic
• Child labour must not be used
• Living wages
• Working hours are not excessive
• No discrimination is practised

You can alway double check if a company is a member by checking GOTS certified supplier list here.

Always look out for the GOTS label when buying organic cotton. 

Source: https://global-standard.org