WHAT DOES GOTS STAND FOR?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, which is a standard that not only verifies the presence and amount of organic material in fabrics and tracks the flow of raw materials from its source to the final product, but also audits companies to make sure these materials are processed according to strict standards.
The GOTS certificate only applies for fabrics that contain more than 70% organic cotton material and for companies that are ecological and socially responsible.
Nooteboom Textiles supports fair trade and cares about the well-being of textile workers all over the world.
Why should I invest in GOTS certified fabrics?
Over the last few years, sustainability became a more and more serious subject in the textile industry. Our industry produces about 10% of all humanity’s CO² emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply. Each investment in organic or recycled fabrics is one step towards a more sustainable textile industry. We believe that we can make a difference because of our position in the market, but you can also make a difference. Let’s contribute together to a better world by investing in GOTS certified goods and give yourself a distinctive position in the market by offering your customers sustainable fabrics!
Why is GOTS important?
We have been active in the textile industry since 1852 and we would like to continue doing so for another 170 years! But that is only possible if we treat the earth well and keep it livable. That is why we are committed to positive social and environmental effects. Nooteboom Textiles invests in GOTS to give you the opportunity to choose products with a label that symbolizes sustainability, quality and social responsibility. And did you know that in many cases you do not need a GOTS certificate yourself?
The do's and don'ts for GOTS
If you cannot use the GOTS label or logo, you can promote the products as:
- Biological
- Sustainable
- Organic Cotton
The GOTS logo and other images may be used in your store or in advertisements if:
- Your own company is GOTS certified and so is the supplier
- Your company is not GOTS certified, but the GOTS certified products are sold to consumers (possibly also to other companies) and the annual GOTS turnover is less than €20,000. This does not apply if you repackage, cut or process the products.
The GOTS logo and other images may not be used if you
- Only sells to companies (B2B)
- OR the annual GOTS turnover is higher than €20,000
- OR the GOTS products are still being processed (Printed, repackaged, cut, relabeled)
The goal of the Global Organic Textile Standard is to create a transparent market in which no dangerous chemicals are used throughout the entire supply chain, but also a market in which fair trade is the standard. This means workers’ rights are protected, working conditions are safe and hygienic, only low impact dyes and inks are used, wastewater is treated properly and energy and water use is monitored. GOTS certified companies must follow strict rules regarding processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution in order to obtain and maintain GOTS certification. Every year each company along the supply chain is inspected by a professional third-party certification body for the use of dangerous and harmful chemicals and the way how they treat their workers. OCS only verifies that a product contains organically grown material. GOTS does not only verify the use of organic material but also audits companies on subjects like racism, discrimination, a fair salary, and child labor.The goal of GOTS
The GOTS license number of Nooteboom Textiles is CU1000425.
A selection of GOTS certified fabrics
What is the difference between ocs certified goods and gots certified goods?
Organic Content Standard (OCS)
It does not address any social or environmental aspects of production; it only covers the traceability of the organic material.
Organic cotton is always produced by a cotton farm that is OCS certified and follow strict rules, but it does not say anything about the companies involved in the supply chain like spinning mills, weaving mills, dyeing factories, or traders.
OCS does not audit the companies for fair trade, they only verify the production and use of organic cotton material.Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Every step in the supply chain is checked from harvesting through production, processing, manufacturing, and labeling. This means that not only the organic cotton materials are checked, but also the company itself for fair trade.
Subjects like recycling and sustainability, which are very important for GOTS certification, are also monitored.
Nooteboom Textiles completed the application process successfully and is very proud to be part of the GOTS family.
