Musterseite

Our vision is that organic textiles will become a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment.

Our mission is the development, implementation, verification, protection and promotion of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This standard stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecology and labour conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, organic production relies on adequate animal husbandry and excludes genetic modification.

We see ourselves as contributing to sustainable development and actively cooperate with all relevant stakeholders.

In developing GOTS we set strict – and binding – requirements regarding ecological and social parameters. In so doing, we take into consideration the need for a standard that is practicable for industrial production and appropriate to a wide range of products. Taking both aspects into account, we define organic textiles as being processed with the least possible impact and residual natural and synthetic chemical inputs.
GOTS is a dynamic standard: we foster constant progress towards development of better textile processing methods. In this continuous improvement process we collaborate with international stakeholders, including the textile and apparel industry, chemical suppliers, organic farming and environmental organisations, workers’ rights groups, and labour unions. We believe that a voluntary global standard, set in partnership with international stakeholder communities, ensures widespread global acceptance. In contrast to mere national standards, it also helps to remove barriers to international trade.

Implementation of GOTS reconciles the need of the textile industry for one global standard with consumers’ need for transparency. The increasing recognition and acceptance of GOTS worldwide confirms that these needs are being met. Our initial objective was to harmonise several different standards into one coherent label; this has become a reality. We continue to work to ensure that this common global standard satisfies the expectations of all stakeholders.

A standard is only as effective as it is credible. In addition to trust, verification is crucial to building credibility. We entrust verification only to selected professional and independent certification bodies. The certification bodies regularly audit all parties involved in the manufacturing of GOTS-certified textiles through comprehensive on-site inspections in order to verify that all GOTS environmental and social requirements are met. In order to further protect GOTS’ credibility, we investigate and impose sanctions wherever there is evidence of misleading use of the GOTS label or reference to GOTS certification.

Our organisation maintains a flat structure and aims to minimise administrative costs. The GOTS programme is self-financed. All income is used to reach our objectives.

As a global network we have representatives working to promote GOTS around the world. For us, team spirit means more than mutual respect, understanding and trust; it means working together to achieve solutions.

Respect for both people and the environment drives us.