TECHNICAL UPDATE - INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR ORGANIC TEXTILES

TECHNICAL UPDATE - INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR ORGANIC TEXTILES - GOTS

The International Standard - GOTS

The first global standard for certification of organic textiles which is well known and equally popular is GOTS – the acronym for Global Organic Textile Standards. The focus of the standard is to have a global recognized requirement to ensure organic status of textiles. It covers the process from harvesting of raw materials to the labeling to reach the end consumer. The harvesting has to be done using environmentally and socially responsible means as also the manufacturing. Such a certification ensures that textile processors and manufacturers will be able to export their organic fabrics, apparel, garments and textiles under one certification across the globe. The certification will be accepted in all the major markets. And it will stand for ethical manufacturing and the end product is organically certified. The standard is applicable to textiles made from using at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. It covers processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading and distribution of such textiles. It covers yarns, fibres, home furnishing and clothes.

The standard lays down guidelines for fibre production. Grade “Organic” means the product uses 95% of certified organic fibres while “made with organic” it must contain a minimum of 70% of certified organic fibres. There are criteria for manufacture, how the fibres from conventional and organic must be separated. Then there are requirements set out for dyeing, emission, pollution norms and social criteria meeting ILO standards amongst others. The quality assurance system and above all the entire textile supply chain is to be certified.

The process of certification is quite rigorous irrespective of whichever standards are adhered to. The testing and certification requires the manufacturer to meet all the set norms. The icing on the cake is greater product acceptance and price realization.

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