GOTS Certification Eligibility and Requirements
What To Know About GOTS Certification Eligibility and Requirements
Summary: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification ensures your textile products meet high environmental and social standards from raw fiber to finished product. To be certified, your operation must be part of the supply chain (processing, wet processing, or trading) and meet minimum organic fiber content. Oregon Tilth certifies operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to GOTS Version 7.0. All clients must comply with updated due diligence, pesticide testing, and annual inspection rules.
What is GOTS?
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading standard for processing textiles made with organic fibers. GOTS sets strict environmental and social criteria for every stage of the textile supply chain — from organic raw material to final product.
Key documents defining the GOTS system include:
- GOTS Standard (current: Version 7.0)
- Implementation Manual
- License and Labeling Guide
Products carrying the GOTS label must be made with at least 70% organic fibers and meet verified criteria for ecological and social responsibility.
Who Needs GOTS Certification?
Any company involved in the production or trade of GOTS-labeled products must be certified if:
- It processes, manufactures, dyes, finishes, cuts/sews, or packages textile goods.
- It trades more than €5,000 of GOTS-certified goods annually.
- It relabels or repackages GOTS goods.
Examples of operations that need certification:
- Cotton gins
- Spinners and knitters
- Weavers and dyers
- Wet processing facilities
- Traders and importers
- Distribution centers labeling or folding products
Retailers do not need to be certified but may opt in voluntarily.
GOTS Eligibility with Oregon Tilth
Oregon Tilth (OTCO) offers GOTS certification for businesses based in the United States, Mexico, or Canada. At least one part of your operation must be located in one of these countries to be eligible.
Certification Scopes Offered by OTCO:
- Scope 1: Processing and manufacturing
- Scope 2: Wet processing
- Scope 3: Trading, import, and retail
We do not currently certify Scope 4 (chemical inputs) such as dyes and auxiliaries.
GOTS Version 7.0 – What’s New?
Key Updates:
- Due Diligence Requirements: All certified businesses must now assess and address environmental and human rights risks throughout their supply chains. This is a mandatory requirement (\”shall\”) under GOTS 7.0.
- New Forms & Modules: Oregon Tilth has updated its Organic System Plan (OSP) forms, including a new FT 10 Due Diligence Management Process module.
- Pesticide Residue Testing: All cotton must now be tested for GMO and pesticide residues before ginning. This ensures data integrity for buyers and must be completed before issuing Transaction Certificates (TCs).
- Annual Inspections: All GOTS-certified sites and subcontractors must have an onsite inspection every calendar year. Traders without subcontractors may qualify for remote inspections.
- Certificate Validity: Scope Certificates must be renewed before their expiration dates. Inspections should occur at least 60 days prior to expiration to ensure timely renewal.
Implementation Deadline:
All changes under GOTS Version 7.0 must be implemented by March 1, 2024. OTCO began inspections under GOTS 7.0 as of late 2023.
Labeling and Transaction Certificates
To use the GOTS logo, submit the updated GOTS Label Release Request Form along with proof of organic content and Scope Certificates.
Transaction Certificate (TC) Reminders:
- Include GMO and pesticide test results for unprocessed fiber.
- Submit your Production Report before requesting TCs.
- Use OTCO\’s Bale List template for accurate documentation.
- Indicate if your product is entering the GOTS or OCS product stream.
Working with Textile Exchange (OCS Compatibility)
Some buyers also require Organic Content Standard (OCS) documentation. While OTCO does not certify to OCS, we have an agreement with Textile Exchange (TE) to share GOTS Gin Transaction Certificate data with their system.
If you are a gin client and want OTCO to share your data, send written permission to:
fibertextile@tilth.org
GMO Sampling Protocol at Gins
- Annual sampling is required for organic cotton before ginning.
- OTCO prefers using OMIC USA for GMO and pesticide testing. Discounts are available for OTCO clients.
- Testing results must be submitted to OTCO before fiber is sold.
If contamination is found, cotton must be held until cleared by OTCO.
Support and Resources
We are here to help.
If you need help understanding GOTS updates, forms, inspections, or testing requirements, contact our Fiber & Textiles Team:
📧 fibertextile@tilth.org
🔗 GOTS Official Website
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