Business Field Sustainability
GOTS certification assesses ecological and social requirements along the entire textile supply chain – TÜV NORD CERT verifies the relevant evidence.
Contact us in just 1 minute for GOTS certification
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading standard for the certification of textiles made from organically produced natural fibers. TÜV NORD CERT certifies companies throughout the entire textile supply chain in accordance with the environmental and social requirements of GOTS.
When purchasing textiles, customers are increasingly concerned that the goods fulfil ecological and social criteria. This has been confirmed by recent surveys.
Within this context, the Umwelt-Bundesamt (UBA), Germany's main environmental protection agency, advises consumers to look for relevant independent labelling. The GOTS label is particularly recommended.
As part of our ongoing accreditation process with DAkkS, we are now offering textile processors and producers the opportunity to be audited and certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Certification is possible for companies from the areas of textile processing, production and trading. Agricultural enterprises wishing to produce organic fibres are not covered; these have to apply for organic farming certification (USDA NOP or EEC 834/2007).
GOTS is the leading global standard for processing of textiles from organic natural fibers. Certification secures your position on the market and conveys transparency and credibility. The GOTS label demonstrates that you accept social and ecological responsibility for your products, as the requirements you have to fulfil are strict:
To obtain GOTS certification, companies must demonstrate compliance with the GOTS Standard in the processes relevant to their activities. This includes meeting requirements related to management systems, traceability, product segregation, environmental and social criteria, as well as the use of approved inputs and chemicals. Compliance is assessed as part of an audit.
For a complete list of requirements, please refer to the current version of the GOTS Standards.
The cost of GOTS certification depends on several factors, including the size of the company, the number of sites, the certification scope, and the extent of the audit activities. We will be happy to provide you with a non-binding quotation based on your individual company structure and certification requirements.
GOTS is a comprehensive sustainability standard for textiles made from organically produced natural fibres and evaluates the entire textile supply chain. In addition to requirements regarding fibre origin, the standard covers criteria related to environmental management, the use of chemicals, social working conditions, and traceability.
By contrast, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a product testing and certification standard that assesses textiles for harmful substances. It focuses on the safety of the finished product for human health but does not set requirements for the environmental or social performance of the production processes.
Yes. GOTS certification is not limited by company size. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also become certified, provided they implement the applicable requirements of the GOTS Standard and are able to demonstrate compliance during the certification audit.
Yes. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is designed for companies across the entire textile supply chain, from fibre processing and textile manufacturing to garment production and trading activities. Companies may be eligible for certification if they own GOTS-certified products or market them under their own name and carry out activities that fall within the scope of the GOTS Standard.
GOTS applies to textile products made primarily from organically produced natural fibres. A wide range of products can be certified, including apparel, home textiles, yarns, fabrics, and textile accessories.
The GOTS certification process starts with an application and a review of the company's information. This is followed by an on-site audit, during which compliance with the standard's requirements is assessed. Among other aspects, processes, documentation, product flows, and traceability are evaluated. If all applicable requirements are fulfilled, the company is awarded GOTS certification.
A GOTS certificate is valid for one year. Continued certification is subject to ongoing compliance with the requirements of the GOTS Standard, which is verified through regular audits.
As a general rule, GOTS certification requires at least one annual audit. The purpose of these audits is to confirm ongoing compliance with the requirements of the GOTS Standard. Depending on the company's operations, organizational structure, and risk profile, additional or unannounced audits may be conducted.
Traceability is a fundamental element of GOTS certification. Companies are required to maintain transparent and verifiable records of certified materials throughout the supply chain, from purchasing and processing to storage and sale. During the audit, product flows, mass balance calculations, and the segregation of certified and non-certified products are reviewed to ensure full traceability and compliance with the standard.
TÜV NORD is an internationally recognized provider of inspection, testing and certification services. All over the world we assess and testify to the fulfilment of legal requirements and voluntary standards. Our assessors are experts in your area and work using standardised methods, so that we can ensure neutrality, independence and ongoing commitment to you and all our clients.