As consumer awareness grows, clothing brands are increasingly eager to showcase the certifications held by the raw materials and finished products they use. One such certification is the GOTS certificate. What exactly does it mean, and does it correlate with clothing quality? Learn more in the following post!
What is GOTS certification?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard , which can be understood as a global standard for organic textiles . It is one of the world's leading standards for the textile production process, covering all stages of the process – from raw materials, through supply chains, to the finished product. Established in 2006, GOTS initially brought together a group of textile producers and processors from the United States, Great Britain, and Britain, Germany, and Japan, but it quickly gained recognition in other countries as well. According to the GOTS certification, the fibers from which the fabrics are made must be of natural origin , and the crops from which the raw material is obtained must be organic and grown according to strictly defined international guidelines. GOTS-certified fabrics must also not be produced using GMOs ( Genetically Modified Organisms ).
How to read GOTS certification markings?
The GOTS certification can be divided into two categories. The organic category certifies that products marked with it are composed of at least 95% certified organic fibers. For the "made with x% organic" category (produced with x% organic raw materials), the percentage of certified organic fibers in the fabric composition must be at least 70%, with a maximum of 10% synthetic fibers permitted. Interestingly, GOTS supports farms in transition, i.e., those just transitioning to organic farming. If the raw material comes from fields that have been managed according to organic farming principles for at least one year, the labels "organic in conversion" and "made with (x%) organic in conversion" are acceptable.
💡Worth knowing: Up to 25% synthetic fibers can be used in the production of GOTS-certified socks, leggings and sportswear.
GOTS certified fabrics – advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of the GOTS certificate is undoubtedly the very rigorous criteria that must be met to obtain it. The certificate is issued for 12 months, after which it can be renewed. Annual audits are conducted to verify that the certified company continues to operate in accordance with the requirements it was required to implement to obtain it. The GOTS standard prohibits the use of bleach and harmful chemicals in production. Water management is also crucial here – a manufacturer wishing to boast a GOTS certificate must implement, among other things, a closed water cycle . Owners of Polish GOTS-certified brands are therefore assured that the fabrics they purchase, and therefore the products they sell, are consistent with their values. However, there is one issue that the GOTS certificate does not guarantee – the quality and durability of the fibers. Finding high-quality GOTS-certified material is not as easy as it might seem…
Our clothes are GOTS certified
After a long search, we finally found a durable, high-quality fabric made of 95% GOTS-certified cotton and 5% elastane . We use it to make basic T-shirts and longsleeves from the Mr and Miss Dapper series. The waffle structure and 245g/m² weight ensure high comfort and durability – proper care will ensure they last a long time! We make Mr and Miss Dapper in several different colors, so you're sure to find something you like. You can find more information about GOTS-certified clothing on our Instagram profile, specifically 👉🏻 in this roll .
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