GOTS Certification Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions buyers ask most often about GOTS Certification.
What does it mean?
organic fibre standard with social criteria. Working figures for GOTS Certification normally sit around minimum 70% organic fibre in mainstream production. Note Control Union or equivalent audit on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
What value should be specified?
Start from minimum 70% organic fibre and adjust for the end use of the garment. Record elastane content alongside GOTS Certification, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside minimum 70% organic fibre usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
How is it tested?
Control Union or equivalent audit. Keeping reference values for GOTS Certification lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with Control Union or equivalent audit, since both affect the reading.
Why does it change between lots?
Process variables such as finishing temperature and elastane batch cause the normal spread of results. Working figures for GOTS Certification normally sit around minimum 70% organic fibre in mainstream production. Note Control Union or equivalent audit on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Can results be compared across suppliers?
Only when the same standard revision and conditioning are used; otherwise measurements are not equivalent. Record elastane content alongside GOTS Certification, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside minimum 70% organic fibre usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
