What does GOTS stand for?
Starting with the basics, let’s have a quick glance at what the official website of GOTS presents as an introductory message of itself:
“Sustainable fashion, ethical clothing, fair production has many meanings. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has a clearly defined set of criteria and is transparent.
GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. GOTS certified final products may include fiber products, yarns, fabrics, clothes, home textiles, mattresses, personal hygiene products, as well as food contact textiles and more.
Having one common standard means textile processors and manufacturers can export their fabrics and garments with one organic certification that is accepted in all major markets. This transparency also gives consumers the power to choose truly organic products sourced from green supply chains.”
Take a… new look at us!
Here, at New Look, we are constantly guided by a spirit of modernization and quality as well as a deep sense of ethical responsibility towards our planet; and that is why we always seek for the most sustainable framework within which we can create our products while considering not only the end product itself, but also the effect of its creation processes all the way from the beginning all through to the end.
So, we are more than proud to announce that, since September 2022, we have received the official certification by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the world’s leading textile processing authority concerning organic fibers. We unquestionably stand behind everything we produce because we know who and what have been involved throughout its creation as well as how, thus, the GOTS label with the tiny green t-shirt on our textiles is like carrying a badge of honor.
Importance of the GOTS Label
The GOTS as a notion was made in order to meet the need for an internationally recognized standard including all organic fibers, such as wool, cotton, bamboo, silk, with a view to make sustainable and high-quality textiles without negatively affecting the environment. The GOTS certification covers the whole organic textiles supply chain including: fiber production, processing, and manufacturing. In addition, product packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution methods are taken into consideration, as well.
Taking a short trip down memory lane: the Organic Trade Association (OTA) of the USA and 3 other member organizations from the UK, Germany, and Japan met in 20022 in order to systematize what are known now as the GOTS guidelines.
GOTS certification has been based upon 4 distinctive and unique key-features:
• Organic Yarns / Fibers
• All Processing Stages
• Ecological and Social Criteria
• Third-Party Certification
For a company to earn the GOTS label, a majority of organic natural fibers has to be included in each and every product it makes. There are 2 different GOTS label grades based on the percentage of organic fiber in each and every product:
- GOTS Organic: must contain at least 95% certified organic fibers.
- GOTS Made with Organic: must contain at least 70% certified organic fibers.
The rest 5-30 % of fibers in these products constitute: recycled synthetic fibers (made with recovered industrial waste from waterbodies or landfills), such as polyester, or regenerated fibers (made with natural materials, such as wood cellulose), like lyocell.
The GOTS label can be earned only if all GOTS criteria are accurately met.
Criteria Needed for the Certification
Fiber Production
Regarding the raw materials for the organic fiber itself, the first must be farmed in accordance with international, or national standards. The GOTS depends upon the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) in order to set these farming standards, which contain the health of soils, ecosystems, and the people involved in the farming processes.
Processing & Manufacturing
The organic fiber must be identified clearly in order to be differentiated from the conventional fiber. Dyes and other process chemicals are examined for toxicity and biodegradability and they need to meet very specific standards to be considered safe for use. Toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their enzymes are prohibited, since they can become toxic for the environment and humans. Also, the textiles should not be treated with chlorine bleach azo dyes releasing carcinogenic compounds are forbidden. Additionally, water consumption levels must be tracked.
Health Safety
The raw materials, or the end products must not contain any chemical residues.
Environmental Standards
The wastewater from all wet processing units must be treated in a functional treatment plant and proper sludge disposal is mandatory, since it prevents byproducts from leaking into the environment.
Packaging & Labeling
Paper or cardboard used in packing must be recycled, or certified by appropriate global agencies.
Quality of the Textile
The completed products must be checked for light, wash, and rub fastness. Also, the finished products’ shrinkage value is examined in order to meet the GOTS guidelines.
Human Aspect
All employers at every GOTS certified unit must be provided fixed minimum wages and should not be overworked or treated harshly, according to the main norms of the International Labor Organisation (ILO). Their working conditions must be safe and hygienic, discrimination should not be tolerated and child labor is prohibited.
Concluding
As environmental consciousness grows more and more every day, there is a phenomenal demand for sustainability and ethical practices all around the globe.
Organic fibers used in the fashion world are no exception.
By having the official GOTS Certification for our products, we guarantee strict social and environmental standards and treating our employees as well as our planet with the deepest respect.
In a few words, the GOTS certification simply means that our textiles meet the highest standards.