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GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD

ECOLOGY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Manufacturing

In terms of GOTS terminology, manufacturing refers to the final step of production of GOTS Goods. It is also known as the cutting, making, trimming (CMT) industry. Labelling and final packaging of GOTS Goods are also covered at this step. This includes different kinds of products like garments, home-textiles, carpets, hygiene products, combined products, etc. The manufacturing operation may include elements like assembling, fabric marking, stitching, ironing, sorting, balling, filling/stuffing, etc.

Elements of Inspection

Manufacturing processes use a variety of accessories for functionality and/or fashion requirements. They must meet stringent criteria for residue of hazardous substances, following the following Restricted Substances List (RSL). To learn more about how to get accessories approved, see page How to Get Additives Approved. Alternatively, accessories certified to Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex are acceptable.

Machine oils coming in touch with organic textiles must be heavy metal-free. Separation and identification of organic products is essential. Buying GOTS certified raw materials, maintaining records of quantities, consideration of wastage, volume reconciliation, transportation documentation, etc. are necessary.

The Certified Weight shall be the weight of GOTS certified raw materials used in the final product, after reducing wastage. Clear computation of weight of accessories and additional fibres must be available for the purpose of volume reconciliation and Transaction Certificates.

For on-product labelling, it is possible to use the licence number of the manufacturer or of the buyer. In all cases, the certified entity applying the GOTS Label shall have the labelling approved by their certification body (Labelling Release for GOTS Goods).

Some parameters are equally applicable to all processing stages under GOTS certification, like:

  • Social Criteria
  • Ethical Business Behaviour
  • Environmental Management