What is GOTS? The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognized as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from certified organically produced raw materials. It includes strict environmental and social criteria for operations along the entire textile supply chain.
What’s the problem with textile processing? Textile processing results in the often inadequately treated discharge of toxic chemicals into the air and water, as well as hazardous workplace situations. We all “live downstream” and share the same water and air, and workers making products for us deserve our respect. GOTS prohibits the use of the kinds of chemicals commonly used in textile processing that can cause cancer, birth defects and other serious illnesses. Chemicals, like persistent hormone-disrupting substances, also destroy eco-systems and biodiversity on an international scale. GOTS requires that all dyes and auxiliaries assessed to its strict criteria and approved prior to their usage.
What kinds of worker-oriented provisions are in GOTS? Workers are not exposed to toxic chemicals when working with GOTS-certified inputs and practices. In addition, the GOTS social criteria are based on the International Labour Organization (ILO) key conventions which include a ban on child and forced labour and include provisions such as having systems in place to prove they are addressing social concerns, such as grievances. Furthermore, GOTS requires fire prevention training and evacuation drills.
(Source: GOTS flyer: Compare - From Field to Fashion)