What does it mean to be GOTS Certified?

GOTS helps Soul Space USA ensure that our organic cotton is ethical and sustainable.

Many of Soul Space USA products are GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard Certified. According to the GOTS website; “The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.”

What is the purpose of GOTS?

GOTS describes their purpose with the following language: “The aim of the standard is to define world-wide recognized requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.
Textile processors and manufacturers are enabled to export their organic fabrics and garments with one certification accepted in all major markets.”

What are the criteria to be GOTS Certified?

GOTS defines their criteria (updated 2019) as the following:

Fiber production:

• Organic certification of fibres on basis of recognised international or national standards (IFOAM family of standards, EEC 834/2007, USDA NOP)
• Certification of fibres from conversion period is possible if the applicable farming standard permits such certification
• A textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres whereas a product with the label grade ‘made with organic’ must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres

Processing & Manufacturing:

Environmental Criteria:

• At all stages through the processing organic fibre products must be separated from conventional fibre products and must to be clearly identified
• All chemical inputs (e.g. dyes, auxiliaries and process chemicals) must be evaluated and meeting basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability/eliminability
• Prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their enzymes
• The use of synthetic sizing agents is restricted; knitting and weaving oils must not contain heavy metals
• Bleaches must be based on oxygen (no chlorine bleaching)
• Azo dyes that release carcinogenic amine compounds are prohibited
• Discharge printing methods using aromatic solvents and plastisol printing methods using phthalates and PVC are prohibited
• Restrictions for accessories (e.g. no PVC, nickel or chrome permitted)
• All operators must have an environmental policy including target goals and procedures to minimise waste and discharges
• Wet processing units must keep full records of the use of chemicals, energy, water consumption and waste water treatment, including the disposal of sludge. The waste water from all wet processing units must be treated in a functional waste water treatment plant.
• Packaging material must not contain PVC. Paper or cardboard used in packaging material, hang tags, swing tags etc. must be recycled or certified according to FSC or PEFC

Technical Quality and Human Toxicity Criteria:

• Technical quality parameters must be met (s.a. rubbing, perspiration, light and washing fastness and shrinkage values)
• Raw materials, intermediates, final textile products as well as accessories must meet stringent limits regarding unwanted residues

Social Criteria:

• Employment is freely chosen
  C29 - Forced Labour Convention
  C105 - Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
  C87 - Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
  C98 - Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
  C135 - Workers' Representatives Convention
  C154 - Collective Bargaining Convention
• Working conditions are safe and hygienic
  C155 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention
• Child labour must not be used
  C138 - Minimum Age Convention
  C182 - Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
• Living wages
  C95 - Protection of Wages Convention
  C131 - Minimum Wage Fixing Convention
• Working hours are not excessive
  C1 - Hours of Work (Industry) Convention
  C14 - Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention
  C30 - Hours of Work (Commerce and Offices) Convention
  C106 - Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention
• No discrimination is practised
  C100 - Equal Remuneration Convention
  C111 - Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
• Regular employment is provided
  C158: Termination of Employment Convention
  C175: Part-time Work Convention
  C177: Homework Convention
  C181 Private Employment Agencies Convention
• Harsh or inhumane treatment is prohibited
  C29 - Forced Labour Convention
  C105 - Abolition of Forced Labour Convention

Soul Space USA is proud to meet these standards and be GOTS Certified. To learn more about GOTS, visit their website here.