Session 1 – Alive GOTS information
The GOTS Regional Seminar 2019 started with the GOTS Alive Session providing information on latest figures, correct labelling and allowed fibres in GOTS goods. Claudia Kersten, GOTS Managing Director, presented the latest number of certified facilities and the growth of GOTS certification in countries and regions in 2018. Mrs. Kersten talked about alternative business solutions for producers to improve their impact through sustainability and researches showing the adoption of the GOTS standard.
The 2nd presentation by Sumit Gupta, Deputy Director Standards Development & Quality Assurance, was about the details of current GOTS criteria. He gave an overview of global requirements regarding organically grown fibres and additional fibers allowed in GOTS goods, besides the restricted ones. Accessory requirements, chemical input selection system and some other criteria about the wastewater treatment and social requirements were also briefly highlighted.rd.
In the 3rd GOTS presentation, Rahul Bhajekar, GOTS Managing Director, focused on logo and label usage rules. He explained who may use the logo and what rules need to be applied. Furthermore, Mr. Bhajekar gave an overview on labelling details and grades and showed examples of correct and incorrect labelling and logo usages, and how to label combined goods and additives.
This first part of the day was followed by a lively question and answer session.
Session 2 – Voices from Turkish Textile Industry
In this session brands, manufacturers and certifiers discussed and shared their experiences. Brands gave insights about their efforts and engagements to improve their environmental impacts and social performances. They shared consumer survey reports and talked about their experiences with organic textiles and GOTS´ role in the organic textile market.
In the following panel discussion moderated by Mukkader Özden, Simurg Tasarım, manufacturers exchanged their experiences with manufacturing organic textile goods in the region. Burak Sertbaş, Aegean Apparel Exporters’ Association Chairman gave useful information about the region's approach to organic textiles. Özgü Çubukçuoğlu Yalçın, EGEDENİZ TEXTILE, and Ersen Çatak, SANKO furthermore discussed which challenges and opportunities they face in the organic textile market.
After lunch, Christopher Stopes, GOTS Representative UK, moderated the panel with Mustafa Akyüz-ETKO, Özlem Özkan- USB, Anıl Noyin- CONTROL UNION TURKEY, Ebru Tarman-IMO-ECOCERT, GOTS accredited certifiers. The certifiers shared important information about the strengths and challenges of the GOTS certification systems, the assurance it provides for end consumers and the advantages of regional companies compared to international compliance requirements.
