Twenty years after its inception, the world’s leading textile processing standard for organic fibres records new all-time high figures: 18 GOTS Approved Certification Bodies report a total of 12,338 certified facilities (+19%) in 79 countries (+11%).
Among the countries with the largest increase in GOTS certified facilities in 2021 are Turkey (+61% to 1.799), Italy (+53% to 894), Germany (+19% to 817), Portugal (+35% to 608), France (+22% to 122), Denmark (+14% to 115), Switzerland (+15% to 61), Belgium (+55% to 59), Sweden (+34% to 51) and Vietnam (+264% to 51).
Organic Textile Standard’s Success
‘’What seemed utopian to many in 2002 has become a reality in the past 20 years. We have created an organic textile standard, certified by approved certification bodies, which is accepted in all major markets” says Claudia Kersten, Managing Director at GOTS, “Despite ongoing difficulties and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, decision-makers continue to pursue their sustainability goals and value GOTS as a tool to accomplish them.”
The results of the annual GOTS Survey among certified entities underline this. Out of 1.114 respondents (+39%), 63% indicated a permanent shift in their sustainability strategy with a focus on the environment and health of their workers and staff. As much as we are pleased with the development so far, we don’t intend to rest on our laurels” adds Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director at GOTS. “In March 2022 we begin revision for GOTS version 7.0 involving all stakeholders including associations, organizations, companies, and individuals to further advance the progressive, innovative, stringent yet practical standard GOTS”
The record growth in Turkey (+61% to 1,799) was in line with the buying trends in general globally. However, during this period, both manufacturers and traders benefited from GOTS as an effective tool to achieve their sustainability goals. They also said that they are aiming to push further GOTS in its competition journey in the market. This year, unlike previous years, in order to meet the intense demand from brands, both state administrations and sector organizations conducted studies on increasing the amount of organic cotton and exchanged information with GOTS on the subject.
About GOTS: GOTS is the stringent voluntary global standard for the entire postharvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing, and manufacturing) of apparel and home textiles made with certified organic fibre (such as organic cotton and organic wool), and includes both environmental and social criteria. Key provisions include a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), highly hazardous chemicals (such as azo dyes and formaldehyde), and child labor, while requiring strong social compliance management systems and strict wastewater treatment practices. GOTS was developed by leading international standard setters - Organic Trade Association (U.S.), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany), and Soil Association (UK) to define globally recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles, from field to finished product.
