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Global Organic Textile Standard Logo
GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD
ECOLOGY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

About Us

GOTS was founded by four well-reputed organisations: Organic Trade Association (OTA, USA), Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN, Germany), The Soil Association (UK) and Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA, Japan). Two of these (IVN and JOCA) are textile industry organisations, while the other two (OTA and Soil Association) are organic organisations rooted in organic agriculture and food. Together, they hold extensive experience in promoting 'organic' and all had developed individual processing standards for organic textiles. GOTS came about from the desire to harmonise these standards so that they were internationally recognised. The GOTS organisation draws on the advice of, and input from, other relevant international stakeholder organisations and experts for regular standard updates.

  • Who we are

    Meet the dedicated people behind the GOTS organisation. Respect for both people and the environment drives us.

    TO GOTS People

  • Organisation

    Learn more about our founding organisations, our processes and the structure of the GOTS organisation.

    TO Organisation

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GOTS people

image of the GOTS family

  • Advisory Council

    The Advisory Council is the decision making committee for all relevant structural and political issues related to the Global Organic Textile Standard programme. Its members are nominated by the founding organisations. The Advisory Council meets annually.

  • Standards Committee

    The GOTS Standards Committee is the advisory body that works with the GOTS Advisory Council. These are experts representing all aspects of the textile value chain appointed by the founding organisations. The Committee is coordinated by the Director of Standards Development and Quality Assurance, Rahul Bhajekar. The Terms of Reference of the Standards Committee are presently under review and this text will be revised accordingly as soon as possible.
    The Standards Committee has the following main functions/authorities:

    • Generating revisions of the Standard and the Implementation Manual.
    • Developing the Labelling Guide and supervision of labelling applications.
    • Developing the accreditation system and related qualification and quality assurance requirements for certification bodies.
    • Supervision of accredited certification bodies to ascertain their adherence to, and consistent interpretation of, the GOTS and related stipulations.

  • Certifiers Council

    GOTS approved certification bodies are responsible for the implementation of the GOTS quality assurance system. In this function they use the standard, procedures and tools of the GOTS Programme on a daily basis. Drawing on the broad expertise gathered during this work is vital for GOTS in order to further develop its functioning and practical system in the market.

    For the purpose of facilitating this, GOTS established the Certifiers Council in which each approved certification body is represented by a responsible expert. The Certifiers Council has an advisory function with regard to all issues related to the GOTS quality assurance system. The collaboration of all approved GOTS certification bodies in this unique forum is an important prerequisite for a consistent interpretation of the criteria and requirements of the standard. Coordinated by the GOTS Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, the Certifiers Council makes proposals to the Standards Committee.

  • General Staff

    In 2008, the four founding organisations set up a legal entity under German law: "Global Standard gemeinnützige GmbH" (Global Standard non-profit limited liability company). Charged with executing the Global Organic Textile Standard programme, this legal entity, conducts all regulatory activities in connection with the implementation of GOTS and its quality assurance, as well as the related labelling system. It is the proprietor of the GOTS label, which is registered as a trademark in relevant production countries and sales markets for organic textile goods.

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Organisation

GOTS Founding Organisations

Starting in 2002, GOTS and the related quality assurance system was developed by:
  • International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN)
    → International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN)

    Germany

  • Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA)
    → Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA)

    Japan

  • Organic Trade Association (OTA)
    → Organic Trade Association (OTA)

    USA

  • Soil Association (SA)
    → Soil Association (SA)

    United Kingdom

In 2008 these Founding Organisations set up a legal entity under German law: "Global Standard gemeinnützige GmbH" (Global Standard non-profit limited liability company). Charged with executing the Global Organic Textile Standard programme, this legal entity conducts all activities in connection with the implementation of GOTS and its quality assurance as well as the related labelling system. It is the proprietor of the GOTS label, registered as a trademark in relevant production countries and sales markets for organic textile goods.
The Advisory Council is the decisive committee for all relevant structural and political issues related to the Global Organic Textile Standard programme.

Regional Representatives

The GOTS organisation has appointed several representatives who operate in a global network to promote GOTS in their respective regions and around the world. To date Regional Representatives are appointed in the major sales markets USA/Canada, Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Japan, United Kingdom and in the important production countries China, India, Bangladesh, Turkey and Africa.

Standards Committee

The GOTS organisation has installed a Standards Committee (formerly known as the Technical Committee), the members of which are appointed by the founding organisations. These experts are backed up by the respective standard committees of the founding organisations thus ensuring a broad basis for the Standards Committee decisions. In addition, the Standards Committee may co-opt further expert members. The Committee is coordinated by the GOTS' Managing Director, Rahul Bhajekar.

The Standards Committee has the following main functions / authorities:

  • Generating revisions of the standard and the related manual for implementation.
  • Developing the CUGS and supervision of labelling applications.
  • Developing the accreditation system and related qualification and quality assurance requirements for certification bodies.
  • Supervision of accredited certification bodies to ascertain their adherence to and consistent interpretation of the GOTS and the related stipulations.

Certifiers Council

The GOTS approved certificaton bodies are responsible for the implementation of the GOTS quality assurance system. In this function they use the Standard, procedures and tools of the GOTS programme on a daily basis. Drawing on the broad expertise gathered during this work is vital for the GOTS organisation in order to further develop its functioning and practical system in the market. In order to facilitate this, the GOTS organisation established the Certifiers Council in which each approved certification body is represented by a responsible expert. The Certifiers Council has an advisory function with regard to all issues related to the GOTS quality assurance system. The collaboration of all approved GOTS certification bodies in this unique forum is an important prerequisite for a consistent interpretation of the criteria and requirements of the Standard. Coordinated by GOTS Managing Director, Rahul Bhajekar, the Certifiers Council reports its proposals to the Standards Committee.

Governance

Code of Conduct Version 1.0

Conflict of Interest Policy Version 1.0

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