The Global Organic Textile Standards

Roughly, 1,500 companies, comprising a total of 2,811 facilities in 55 countries across the globe were certified to the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) last year, an increase of almost 40% compared to 2008. The GOTS standard has been gaining unbridled momentum since it was established in 2006.

The GOTS is a voluntary post-harvest standard that scrutinizes numerous production processes (including knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing) of clothing and other textiles made from organic fiber. The standard includes environmental and social requirements, from the prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), hazardous chemicals to child labor and a requirement of safe waste disposal practices.

China ranked among the top 20 countries, based on the number of GOTS-certified facilities per country. The other 19 countries spearheading the organic textile movement are India, Turkey, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, Italy, Germany, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Peru, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, USA, Portugal, Taiwan, Indonesia, France and the Netherlands.

The new GOTS system aims to aid manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and consumers in making more environmentally conscious decisions, along with facilitating and fostering the emerging organic market.

More information of GOTS available on http://www.global-standard.org