GOTS certification: What is it and why is it important?
You may have seen the GOTS logo on some clothing or textile products, but do you know what it means?
What is GOTS certification?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard and is the most widely recognized international certification for the processing of organic fibers into textile products such as clothing and bedding.
GOTS certification guarantees that products are made with organic raw materials and that environmental and social conditions are respected throughout the production chain. GOTS certification does not directly cover the production of organic fibers, but requires that they be certified to a standard recognized by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements).
What are the benefits of GOTS?
GOTS certification has several benefits for consumers and producers. It ensures the traceability and credibility of organic textile products, from raw material harvesting to labeling. It helps reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry by limiting the use of harmful chemicals, promoting sustainable management of natural resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also promotes respect for human rights and social standards in manufacturing facilities by prohibiting forced and child labor, ensuring safe and decent working conditions, and promoting social dialogue among stakeholders.
GOTS certification is therefore a guarantee of quality and responsibility for organic textile products. By choosing GOTS certified products, you are supporting more ethical and environmentally responsible fashion.
How do I find GOTS-certified products?
You can find GOTS-certified products by looking for the logo on the label or packaging of the textile products you purchase. You can also verify the validity of a GOTS certified product by visiting the database tab on the Global Organic Textile Standard website.
How can I be sure a product is GOTS?
To be sure that a product is GOTS, you can check several elements:
- The GOTS logo on the label, product packaging or website. It must be accompanied by the name or code of the certification body (such as Ecocert) and the manufacturer's license number.
- The validity of the certification on the Global Organic Textile Standard website. You can enter the manufacturer's license number and see if the product is GOTS certified.
- The origin of the product. It must come from a controlled and traceable production chain that respects the environmental and social standards of GOTS throughout the production chain.
- The difference between OEKO-TEX® and GOTS. OEKO-TEX® is a certification that guarantees the absence of harmful substances in textile products, but not their organic origin or social impact. Do not rely on the terms "OEKO-TEX® THEN GOTS" or "OEKO-TEX® AND GOTS", which are often misleading.
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GOTS Accredited Certification Bodies are those that are accredited by the Global Organic Textile Standard and meet its requirements. There are currently 19 GOTS certification bodies around the world, including Ecocert, which certifies Kadolis products.
The full list of GOTS certification bodies can be found on the Global Organic Textile Standard website. These organizations are responsible for monitoring and certifying textile products according to GOTS standards, which cover environmental, social and health aspects of production.
Textile products are inspected and certified in a variety of ways, depending on the standards and labels chosen by manufacturers. In general, quality control of apparel and bedding products involves several steps:
- The control of raw materials (fibers, yarns, fabrics) before production. This involves checking the conformity of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the materials used.
- Control of the production process (dyeing, printing, finishing) during production. This includes monitoring compliance with environmental and social standards, as well as the quality of the final product.
- Control of the finished product (e.g. garment or sheet) after production. This involves testing the performance of the product against criteria such as appearance, strength, comfort, safety and labeling.
- Textile product certification is issued by an independent organization that certifies that the product meets the requirements of a specific label or standard. For example, to be GOTS certified, a product must contain at least 70% certified organic fibers and meet GOTS environmental and social criteria throughout the production chain. Certification is based on an annual audit by a certification body chosen by the manufacturer.
GOTS certification at Kadolis
At Kadolis, we are committed to certifying as many of our products as possible, to ensure that your whole family has a truly healthy night's sleep. This is a voluntary process on our part, very demanding for a small company like ours, but so essential in our eyes.
We sincerely wish to create collections that are respectful of people and the earth, in full transparency for our little sleepers.
The GOTS logo and its number are affixed on the product sheets of all our products that are certified.