The Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS certificate) is the world’s leading textile standard, including ecological environment and social justice criteria. This standard is for organic fibers and is independently certified by the entire textile supply chain. So what criteria does this standard include and how is it checked? Let’s find out with Dugarco through this article!
1. What is global organic textiles standard (GOTS)?
The Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading standard for testing and certifying organic fibers used in the production of textiles made from organic fibers. The purpose of GOTS is to inspect fabrics from the harvesting of raw materials to the production process to ensure that they are organic. Textile products must be environmentally and socially responsible and give consumers confidence.
The GOTS standard was established by four reputable organizations. including the Organic Trade Association (OTA, USA), the Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN, Germany), the Soil Association (UK), and the Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA, Japan). With their own experiences with organic products, they together develop their handling standards for organic textiles. GOTS regularly updates the standard based on advice from relevant international organizations and experts.
GOTS’s vision is for organic textiles to become an important part of everyday life, enhancing the environment and people’s lives. GOTS-certified textiles must contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers. Chemicals such as dyes and auxiliaries used in the product must meet certain environmental and toxicity criteria. The attached accessories must also meet the ecological aspects. In addition, the wastewater treatment plant must comply with social criteria.
Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) is widely accepted in the retail sector. It is meant to represent the quality assurance for organic textiles. Products that meet GOTS standards are manufactured in factories with good working conditions and according to ILO guidelines.
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2. Important criteria for the global organic textiles standard
The criteria for the Global Organic Textiles Standard are based on the consensus of the founding organizations. The requirements include: Fiber manufacturing; Manufacturing and processing; Environmental regulations; Health safety; Quality of textile supply chain; Labeling and packaging; Humanitarian and social criteria.
2.1. Fiber manufacturing
GOTS wants organic textiles to become an important part of people’s lives. So, developing the purest materials is the first step towards this goal. The requirements of the fiber manufacturing criteria set out in The Global Organic Textile Standard include the following:
- Organic fibers must be cultivated and harvested according to international or national standards. GOTS will establish farming standards based on IFOAM Organics International.
- Maintain the ecosystem, the health of the soil, and the people involved in the farming process.
- Only natural fertilizers and pesticides are used instead of chemicals. This is to protect farmers, wildlife, soil, and groundwater from dangerous chemicals and the adverse effects of long-term exposure.
2.2. Manufacturing and processing
Some requirements in the manufacturing and processing criteria of Global Organic Textiles Standard:
- Identify which fibers are organic and separate them from conventional fibers. This step reduces the possibility of fiber mixing during processing.
- Dyes, auxiliaries, and treatment chemicals used in production and processing must be evaluated for toxicity, safety, and biodegradability.
- Using toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and enzymes is prohibited during processing and production. They are hazardous to human health and the environment.
- Use oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach when handling textiles. Because oxygen bleach is more environmentally friendly, it is gentler on fibers and protects fabric colors.
- The use of azo dyes is prohibited because it releases carcinogenic compounds.
- Processing and manufacturing facilities must maintain adequate records of chemical and energy use. In addition, regularly monitor water consumption.
2.3. Environmental regulations
Global Organic Textiles Standard’s environmental standards include the following provisions:
- For wet processing facilities, wastewater and sludge must be properly treated at a functional wastewater treatment plant. This is to prevent leakage into the environment. In addition, adequate records of chemical use, water consumption, energy, and wastewater treatment should be kept.
- Input chemicals such as dyes, auxiliaries, and treatment chemicals must meet basic requirements for toxicity and degradability.
- Use knitting oils that are free of heavy metals
- The use of azo dyes is prohibited during processing because it releases carcinogenic amino compounds.
- Plastisol printing methods using phthalates or PVC and discharge printing using aromatic solvents are prohibited.
- There must be an environmental policy that includes objectives and implementation procedures to minimize waste in production and processing.
- Product packaging materials after production should not contain PVC.
2.4. Health safety
According to The Global Organic Textile Standard, health and safety stipulate that raw materials or finished textile products must not contain any chemical residues. Some chemicals such as formaldehyde or phthalates cause nausea, and dizziness and greatly affect human health. In addition, finished products must not include nickel, chromium, or PVC fittings because these chemicals can cause asthma or allergies.
2.5. Quality of textile supply chain
The requirements in the textile supply chain quality of the Global Organic Textiles Standard certification:
- To ensure color fastness, the finished product must be tested for light fastness, washing, and scrubbing.
- Evaluate the shrinkage value of the final product to meet GOTS guidelines.
- Fiber production facilities must be certified to international or national organic farming standards.
- In addition, yarn manufacturers’ certifiers must be internationally recognized according to ISO 65 and/or IFOAM standards.
- Operators from post-harvest handling to garment production undergo annual on-site inspections. They also have to have a GOTS operation certificate applicable to textile production/trading.
2.6. Labeling and packaging
Regarding labeling and packaging, Global Organic Textiles Standard stipulates that the packaging material should not contain PVC. If a business uses packaging paper or cardboard, it must be recyclable or certified by the appropriate global authorities. The certification bodies can be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Forest Certification Scheme). In addition, the printing method must not include phthalates and PVC.
2.7. Humanitarian and social criteria
The humanitarian and social criteria in The Global Organic Textile Standard are maintained throughout the entire production process of the finished product. This is to ensure the product is of the highest quality and produced most responsibly. This criterion includes:
- Employers are employed according to the main standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
- Ensure working in safe and hygienic conditions.
- Employees must be provided with a fixed minimum wage.
- Employees should not be overworked or treated harshly.
- There is no discrimination of any kind among employees.
- Child labor is not allowed in GOTS.
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3. How to check GOTS-certified clothing?
Products that are Global Organic Textiles Standard certified will have the certification logo. Alternatively, you can check the GOTS public database in case you want to check the authenticity of the GOTS label on a particular product. This database includes a list of manufacturers and products certified by GOTS.
4. Who needs GOTS certification?
All steps in the supply chain during production must be certified by The Global Organic Textile Standard. In addition, anyone trading in GOTS-qualified goods with a turnover of more than 5,000 Euros a year must be GOTS certified. Some of the operations certified by GOTS include cotton trimming machines, knitting machines, spinning machines, knitting machines, weaving machines, wool carding machines, wet processors, importers, etc.
The harmful effects of some chemicals tend to increase in today’s world. So the demand for Global Organic Textiles Standard for organic fibers in particular and garments, in general, is very necessary. Hope the article can help you have more useful knowledge about this standard. Please contact Dugarco if you have any questions that need answers!
Contact information:
- Address: 59 Đức Giang, Đức Giang, Long Biên, HN
- Phone: 024 3655 7930
- Email: dugarco@mayducgiang.com.vn
- Website: https://dugarco.com/en/
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Dugarco under the talented leadership and guidance of Mr. Hoang Ve Dung has gradually become a large Vietnam clothing manufacturer, supplying clothes for many famous brands from many different countries such as the UK, USA, and Australia.
