Stricter GOTS rules come into force

With the new version 6.0, the Global Organic Textile Standard – GOTS for short – has established stricter ecological and social criteria for the entire supply chain in the textile and clothing industry.

Twenty-seven international interest groups with expertise in the areas of organic production, textile processing, textile chemistry and social criteria, as well as representatives of industry, non-governmental organisations and consumers have contributed to the revision process in several rounds of consultation over the past three years. Version 6.0 was published on 19 March 2020.

Environment, health and safety: product responsibility redefined
The previous core rules on organic fibres, the ban on toxic and harmful chemicals, conventional cotton, the use of polyester, and environmental and social management remain unchanged in the new version 6.0, but numerous criteria have been tightened. For example, topics such as product responsibility with regard to the environment, health and safety have been redefined and new test protocols published for greater transparency.

Wage differences to be balanced
In addition, product quality standards for colour fastness and dimensional stability are now mandatory. GOTS also introduced new requirements for textiles with food contact. With regard to social criteria, certified companies must now calculate the gap between wages actually paid and “living wages” according to recognised methods. The aim should be to close this gap. Specific references to OECD guidelines on social criteria, risk assessment and ethical business practices have been added to the standard.

Info-Workshop on 12 November 2020
The transition period for GOTS certified companies to fully comply with the new version is one year. What exactly GOTS stands for, what significance the standard has for the market of promotional textiles, sportswear and workwear and how textile companies and textile finishing operations can be certified will be explained to interested parties at the one-day workshop “Certified textile printing – textiles and screen printing according to GOTS standard” on 12 November 2020 in Halle an der Saale. The speaker is Thomas Mosner, who years ago became the first textile screen printer in Germany to have his company certified according to GOTS and who would like to pass on his expertise. The event is hosted by Textildruck Europa, itself certified according to GOTS and exhibitor at PromoTex Expo.

About GOTS
GOTS is considered one of the strictest standards in the apparel industry and defines globally recognized criteria to certify and make transparent the process of manufacturing bio-textiles with full traceability from field to finished product. Behind the standard is a non-profit organisation, supported by leading international standard setters – the Organic Trade Association (USA), the Japan Organic Cotton Association, the International Association of Natural Textile Industries (Germany) and the Soil Association (UK).

Information about the workshop: https://aka-tex.de/aka/#!/events/68