Global Organic Textile Standard+GOTS Certification+methodology

---------

You can find the details about the specific product that has been certified in the comments.

---------

The following criteria are applied to the GOTS Version 5.0 certification:

The consensus of the Founding Organizations was that a clear and unambiguous understanding of the content required that the Global Standard itself focuses on compulsory criteria only. The standard covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. The final products may include, but are not limited to fibre products, yarns, fabrics, clothes and home textiles. The standard does not set criteria for leather products.

Key criteria for fibre production:

• Organic certification of fibres on basis of recognised international or national standards (IFOAM family of standards, EEC 834/2007, USDA NOP)
• Certification of fibres from conversion period is possible if the applicable farming standard permits such certification
• A textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres whereas a product with the label grade ‘made with organic’ must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres

Key criteria for processing and manufacturing:

Environmental Criteria

• At all stages through the processing organic fibre products must be separated from conventional fibre products and must to be clearly identified
• All chemical inputs (e.g. dyes, auxiliaries and process chemicals) must be evaluated and meeting basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability/eliminability
• Prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their enzymes
• The use of synthetic sizing agents is restricted; knitting and weaving oils must not contain heavy metals
• Bleaches must be based on oxygen (no chlorine bleaching)
• Azo dyes that release carcinogenic amine compounds are prohibited
• Discharge printing methods using aromatic solvents and plastisol printing methods using phthalates and PVC are prohibited
• Restrictions for accessories (e.g. no PVC, nickel or chrome permitted)
• All operators must have an environmental policy including target goals and procedures to minimise waste and discharges
• Wet processing units must keep full records of the use of chemicals, energy, water consumption and waste water treatment, including the disposal of sludge. The waste water from all wet processing units must be treated in a functional waste water treatment plant.
• Packaging material must not contain PVC. Paper or cardboard used in packaging material, hang tags, swing tags etc. must be recycled or certified according to FSC or PEFC

Technical Quality and Human Toxicity Criteria

• Technical quality parameters must be met (s.a. rubbing, perspiration, light and washing fastness and shrinkage values)
• Raw materials, intermediates, final textile products as well as accessories must meet stringent limits regarding unwanted residues

Social Criteria

Social criteria based on the key norms of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) must be met by all processors and manufacturers. They must have a social compliance management with defined elements in place to ensure that the social criteria can be met. For adequate implementation and assessment of the following social criteria topics the listed apparel key conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) have to be taken as the relevant basis for interpretation.

• Employment is freely chosen
  C29 - Forced Labour Convention
  C105 - Abolition of Forced Labour Convention

• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
  C87 - Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
  C98 - Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
  C135 - Workers' Representatives Convention
  C154 - Collective Bargaining Convention

• Working conditions are safe and hygienic
  C155 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention

• Child labour must not be used
  C138 - Minimum Age Convention
  C182 - Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention

• Living wages
  C95 - Protection of Wages Convention
  C131 - Minimum Wage Fixing Convention

• Working hours are not excessive
  C1 - Hours of Work (Industry) Convention
  C14 - Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention
  C30 - Hours of Work (Commerce and Offices) Convention
  C106 - Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention

• No discrimination is practised
  C100 - Equal Remuneration Convention
  C111 - Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention

• Regular employment is provided
  C158: Termination of Employment Convention
  C175: Part-time Work Convention
  C177: Homework Convention
  C181 Private Employment Agencies Convention

• Harsh or inhumane treatment is prohibited
  C29 - Forced Labour Convention
  C105 - Abolition of Forced Labour Convention

Source: GOTS General Description of the Standard

More details on the criteria can be found here, pages 7-32: GOTS Standard 5.0