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Global Organic Textile Standard: Official start for certification process
The International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) officially approved the first certification body: The Institute for Marketecology (IMO) offers certification according to this standard with immediate effect.
After four years of development this decision marks a milestone in the work of the GOTS Working Group. The great interest showed by processors, manufacturers as well as by leading brands and retailers underlines the current interest in organic textiles with a promising impact in main selling markets. The sales of organic cotton are set to triple form currently $ 900 million to $ 2.6 billion at the end of 2008 as retailers and brands make new commitments to sustainable textile production.
The Global Organic Textile Standard is the result of a technical harmonisation procedure between reputed standard organisations: So far the International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN), Soil Association (SA), Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA) have already decided to adopt the GOTS by 1st October 2006.
The aim of the standard is “to define requirements to 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”. This new and unique tool enables textile manufacturers to qualify their organic fabrics and garments with one certificate accepted in all major world markets – an important step toward harmonisation and transparency of textile labels.
Critics say that this approach is too rigid for brands who need a more flexible approach to compliance. The GOTS Working Group stands for the decision, that only high quality standards will lead towards the goal to improve the social and environmental conditions in textile production. However, it is aware that not every criteria can be realised immediately and different phases were defined for conversion during the following two years.
The partnership with some of the largest textile processing and manufacturing groups, with the world's largest retailer Wal-Mart and with long-term professional Hess-Natur is a key factor to reach a large segment of new consumers. And for their assurance, GOTS provides for a continuous quality control and certification system from field to shelf. IMOs qualification as GOTS certification body is based on years of leading experience in the field of ecological and social quality assurance along the whole textile production chain world-wide. IMO was significantly involved in professional support to the development of the Global Organic Textile Standard and is also offering verification of appropriate dyes and auxiliary agents to be used for textile pre-treatment, dyeing, printing and finishing to the chemical suppliers. Respective approved positive lists for GOTS are available for clients on request.
To learn more about GOTS and IMO please refer to the official website of GOTS or contact: gots@imo.ch.
(2.10.2006/ih)
>> Return to the IMO Textile Service Page.
After four years of development this decision marks a milestone in the work of the GOTS Working Group. The great interest showed by processors, manufacturers as well as by leading brands and retailers underlines the current interest in organic textiles with a promising impact in main selling markets. The sales of organic cotton are set to triple form currently $ 900 million to $ 2.6 billion at the end of 2008 as retailers and brands make new commitments to sustainable textile production.
The Global Organic Textile Standard is the result of a technical harmonisation procedure between reputed standard organisations: So far the International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN), Soil Association (SA), Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA) have already decided to adopt the GOTS by 1st October 2006.
The aim of the standard is “to define requirements to 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”. This new and unique tool enables textile manufacturers to qualify their organic fabrics and garments with one certificate accepted in all major world markets – an important step toward harmonisation and transparency of textile labels.
Critics say that this approach is too rigid for brands who need a more flexible approach to compliance. The GOTS Working Group stands for the decision, that only high quality standards will lead towards the goal to improve the social and environmental conditions in textile production. However, it is aware that not every criteria can be realised immediately and different phases were defined for conversion during the following two years.
The partnership with some of the largest textile processing and manufacturing groups, with the world's largest retailer Wal-Mart and with long-term professional Hess-Natur is a key factor to reach a large segment of new consumers. And for their assurance, GOTS provides for a continuous quality control and certification system from field to shelf. IMOs qualification as GOTS certification body is based on years of leading experience in the field of ecological and social quality assurance along the whole textile production chain world-wide. IMO was significantly involved in professional support to the development of the Global Organic Textile Standard and is also offering verification of appropriate dyes and auxiliary agents to be used for textile pre-treatment, dyeing, printing and finishing to the chemical suppliers. Respective approved positive lists for GOTS are available for clients on request.
To learn more about GOTS and IMO please refer to the official website of GOTS or contact: gots@imo.ch.
(2.10.2006/ih)
>> Return to the IMO Textile Service Page.
