Global Standard Glossary

The Advisory Council is the decisive committee for relevant organisational, structural and operational issues of the Global Standard gGmbH, the operating body of the Global Organic Textile Standard. It is set up by way of organisational statutes by the founding Organisations of GOTS.

Items that are added to supplement GOTS Goods for required functional or for fashionable reasons. Most commonly used Accessories are listed in Section 3.3. The processing of those Accessories is not under the direct scope of the GOTS on-site certification system. GOTS criteria that applies to Accessories are listed in Sections 3.3 and 5.2.8.

Consists of three elements in the specified order: label grade,  reference to the Approved Certification Body, and the license number of the Certified Entity. 

An authoritative body or organisation which evaluates and confirms that a conformity assessment body, e.g., a Certification Body, is deemed capable of carrying out certain assessment tasks, e.g., certification, inspection, or testing, regarding a particular formally defined standard. This attestation relies primarily on a formal demonstration of its task-specific competence by the conformity assessment body, evaluated via professional and objective audits by the Accreditation Body, typically by way of ISO/IEC 17065 : "Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services".

The Advisory Council is the decisive committee for relevant organisational, structural and operational issues of the Global Standard gGmbH, the operating body of the Global Organic Textile Standard. It is set up by way of organisational statutes by the founding Organisations of GOTS.

A Certification Body, having been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body and by way of signing a contract with Global Standard gGmbH has been permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard over a designated geogprahical area and for specific scopes of the Standard.

A Certification Body, having been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body and by way of signing a contract with Global Standard gGmbH has been permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard over a designated geogprahical area and for specific scopes of the Standard.

A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the Standard's requirements (including environmental and social criteria) are fulfilled by a Certified Entity or applicant for the status of Certified Entity. Audits are conducted by Approved Certification Bodies (see "Approved Certification Body").

A registered or unregistered trademark or other sign other than the GOTS Signs.
The term, in context, can also refer to an organisation that controls the design, development, and purchase of final products for sale under their own name. In that context, brands may sell to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to consumers. This does not include organisations who sell a branded intermediate product for use in further processing steps.

Owner of a Brand.  

A Certification Body, having been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body and by way of signing a contract with Global Standard gGmbH has been permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard over a designated geogprahical area and for specific scopes of the Standard.

A processor, manufacturer, trader, or retailer involved in the production, handling, or distribution of certified products (GOTS Goods) and that has been officially certified by an Approved Certification Body.

The total weight (kg) of the certified material in a product excluding all non-certified items (material,fibre,accessories, packaging) of a product.

A body or forum formed by one nominated person from each Approved Certification Body, convened by a desginated officer of Global Standard gGmbH (currently the Managing Director), to dicsuss matters of mutual interest.

A Chemical Formulator places chemical products on the market under own trade name. Generally the recipe, formulation and processing know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier. These chemical products can be manufactured by either the Chemical Supplier itself, or another Chemical Formulator or a toll-manufacturer.

Producing of chemical products on behalf of another Chemical Supplier. The recipe, process technology and know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier, not the manufacturer.

A Chemical Formulator places chemical products on the market under own trade name. Generally the recipe, formulation and processing know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier. These chemical products can be manufactured by either the Chemical Supplier itself, or another Chemical Formulator or a toll-manufacturer.

Purchasing of finished chemical products from a Chemical Supplier and distribution of these products under own brand/trade name and responsibility. Some chemical companies are using the term “sourcing” as synonym for this activity.

One- or two-sided application of coating compounds or foam films to fabric by means of coating machines, rotary screen printing or by means of spray, hot melt and transfer coating methods.

Consumer products that are normally not classified as textile fibre products but containing textile fibre components, such as prams with textile fabrics, bassinets, car seats or furniture with textile fabric upholstery. 

Any substance that is not intended to be present and that is thus charactertized as an impurity, including chemical residues and the presence of genetic material that does not occur naturally.

The presence of a -> Contaminant.

Agricultural practices that do not conform to a norm of organic agricultural production.

Critical non-conformity means a severe violation of the GOTS requirements that requires immediate withdrawal of certification and possibly suspension from the GOTS system, and that involves one or more of the following:
- Illegal activities or evidence of criminal behaviour;
- Non-compliance resulting in, or likely to result in, serious harm to individuals, communities, or the environment or an immediate danger to the life and safety of workers;
- Evidence of deliberate deception, manipulation, or fraud in relation to the standard's requirements.

An exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations

A comprehensive approach to business operations that aligns with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. It encompasses a range of practices and policies that businesses should adopt to ensure they contribute positively to sustainable development, respect human rights, protect the environment and uphold ethical standards throughout their operations and supply chains.

A flexible, flat structure made by interlacing yarns, fibers, or filaments.

Any entity which engages in the primary activity of selling GOTS-Certified fabric (of any length) in a B2B or B2C capacity without any further alteration in any form.

An individual establishment or site where processing, manufacturing, trading or retailing of GOTS Goods is done. It is operated by a Certified Entity and inspected by an Approved Certifier.

Any textile articles that are intended to come into prolonged contact with, or are already in contact with, or can reasonably be expected to be brought into contact with or to transfer their constituents to food or water intended for human consumption under normal or foreseeable conditions of use.

A Formulation is the finished chemical product sold or distributed ready for use.

An organisation involved in manufacturing, producing or creating a mixture of chemical Substances blended together (Formulation) to be used for textile processing.

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/genetically-modified-organisms-gmo.html)

Mission-driven, non-profit legal entity, operating voluntary sustainability standards. Mission: to ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities.

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/genetically-modified-organisms-gmo.html)

The worldwide leading voluntary sustainabilty standard for the post-harvest textile value chain for certified organic fibres, covering environmental criteria, human rights, social criteria and business conduct.

Accessories (e.g. buttons, lace) approved under GOTS through the issuance of GOTS Letters of Approval by a GOTS Scope 1 certifier.

Chemical inputs (colourants, textile auxiliaries) approved under GOTS through the issuance of GOTS Letters of Approval by a GOTS Scope 4 certifier.  

Textile goods (finished or intermediate) produced in compliance with GOTS (and properly labelled, as applicable) by a Certified Entity and certified by an Approved Certification Body.

The garment icon, embedded into the circle element.

The garment icon, embedded into the circle element and surrounded by the letters "Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS", displayed only with the allowed colours.

The garment icon, embedded into the circle element and surrounded by the letters "Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS", displayed only with the allowed colours.

The Logo and the Word Sign registered as a certification mark.

The Word "GOTS".

The Word "GOTS".

The practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice.
(Source: International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), 2016)

The total weight of the products covered by a Transaction Certificate, including packaging and accessories, in kilograms (kg).

An Input is considered as 'Heavy Metal Free' if it does not contain heavy metals as a functional constituent and any impurity contained does not exceed the following limit values (as set by ETAD for dyes): Antimony: 50 mg/kg, Arsenic: 50 mg/kg, Barium: 100 mg/kg, Cadmium: 20 mg/kg, Cobalt: 500 mg/kg, Copper: 250 mg/kg, Chromium: 100 mg/kg, Iron: 2500 mg/kg, Lead: 100 mg/kg, Manganese: 1000 mg/kg, Nickel: 200 mg/kg, Mercury: 4 mg/kg, Selenium: 20 mg/kg, Silver: 100 mg/kg, Zinc: 1500 mg/kg, Tin: 250 mg/kg Special Limits for Pigments: Cadmium: 50 mg/kg; Mercury: 25 mg/kg.

Individual carrying out work for remuneration in their home or at other premises mutually agreed with the employer, other than the regular workplace of the employer.

Individual carrying out work for remuneration in their home or at other premises mutually agreed with the employer, other than the regular workplace of the employer.

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. (Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)

General term for all Substances and Preparations directly applied as textile auxiliary agents, inks, dyes or pigments.

Clinically Invasive Products: Any device that penetrates the body through the skin, with the aid of or in the context of a surgical operation. Physically Invasive Products: Any device that, in whole or part, penetrates inside the body through a natural or artificial orifice.

Document approved by a GOTS Approved Certification Body. Layouts are submitted to a GOTS A-approved Certification Body by a Certified Entity, detailing how the GOTS Signs will be used on-product and/or off- product application to verify compliance with Conditions for the Use of GOTS Signs.
The Labelling Release for GOTS Goods is a mandatory approval process that ensures the correct use of the GOTS Signs.
Similarly, Labelling Release for GOTS Approved Chemicals and Accessoriesdditives is a mandatory approval process that ensures the correct use of the GOTS Signs.

Official document issued by a GOTS-approved Certification Body listing the approved chemical inputs or accessories for the use in GOTS Goods.  

Oil intended essentially for lubrication of machines and machine parts used for processing of GOTS Goods, including but not limited to spinning, weaving, knitting etc. and which may come in contact with GOTS Goods.

An entity in the manufacturing chain (sewing industry or so-called CMT (cut, make, trim) industry up to labelling and final packing) of GOTS Goods.

The fibre composition of a product that includes both certified and non-certified materials, and indicated by the raw material codes from the Classification Document.
N.B.: Material Composition is required to follow regulatory requirements in many countries. This is placed on a "Fibre Content" Label which is distinct from the GOTS Label.

Based on the working definition of ECHA: ‘Microplastic’ means a particle containing solid polymer, to which additives or other Substances may have Microplastics been added, and where ≥ 1% w/w of particles have all dimensions 1nm ≤ x ≤ 5 mm, or a length of 3nm ≤ x ≤ 15 mm and length to diameter ratio of > 3. Natural polymers that have not been chemically modified are excluded, as are polymers that are (bio)degradable or have a water solubility > 2 g/L. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/b56c6c7e-02fb-68a4-da69 0bcbd504212b

Individual who migrates from one geographical region to another with a view of being employed. The term covers any person regularly admitted as a migrant for employment.

Removal of wool-bearing strips of skin from the breech area of sheep intended to avoid problems of flystrike. This includes any type of breech modification, including freeze branding/steining.

A natural material is any product or physical matter that comes from plants, animals, or the ground. Minerals and the metals that can be extracted from them are also considered to belong to this category. Natural materials include biotic materials (materials that originate from living organisms such as (organic) natural fibre, wood, leather, horn, bone, shell, seed and plant oils etc.) and non-biotic materials (such as minerals, metals, stone).

A substance that occurs in nature or under naturally occuring conditions. Its opposite would be an artificial substance, which requires laboratory or industrial manufacturing conditions to produce.

The total weight of the product excluding packaging, in kilograms (kg). This includes the weight of any non-certified portion of a product including accessories.

Normal conditions (also referred to as Standard Atmosphere) are 65% relative humidity, ± 4 %, and 20 °C, ± 2 °C, as specified in ISO 139 Textiles - standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing. Normal conditions are specifically referred to during laboratory testing and measurements.

Regarding all aspects of health and safety in the workplace, with a strong focus on the primary prevention of hazards. The health of workers has several determinants, including risk factors in the workplace leading to cancers, accidents, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, circulatory diseases, stress-related disorders and communicable diseases.

Refers to any application of the GOTS Signs outside of direct labelling of the certified textile product. This includes, but is not limited to, business documents, online shops, newsletters, marketing and advertising materials, corporate reports, and any other medium that communicates GOTS certification or GOTS-certified products.
Examples of the above can be either in the printed version or electronic format e.g. printed newsletter / electronic newsletter.

GOTS Signs applied on GOTS Goods in such a way that it is visible to the buyer / consignee in the textile supply chain and to the end consumer at the time of purchase (e.g. packaging material, hangtag and/or a (care) label). 

"Organic" is a regulated term used to distinguish systems of managed production and products derived therefrom that adhere to principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, and which are certified compliant to an organic standard's regulations by an Approved Certification Body.
GOTS defines organic textiles as being made with fibres from organic agriculture systems that are certified to one of the IFOAM Family of Standards, and that are processed in socially and ecologically responsible ways, in alignment with organic principles.

A product from an operation or portion thereof which has completed at least 12 months under organic management and is under the supervision of an Approved Certification Body.

AOX is permanent if it is permanently bound to the molecule (e.g. in the chromophore of a dyestuff or pigment) and cannot get hydrolysed or released during textile processing instead remains on textiles.

GOTS Positive List contains GOTS-compliant chemical products which are evaluated and approved by GOTS approved chemical auditors. The List provides trade names of the chemicals and immediate access to all chemical Inputs which are allowed to use GOTS products.

Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product that can no longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of materials from the distribution chain.

Material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process. Excluded is the reutilisation of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process.

Mixtures or solutions composed of two or more Substances.

An entity in the processing chain (post-harvest handling up to finishing) of GOTS Goods.

A page in e-commerce that provides detailed information about a specific product, including descriptions, images, pricing, and a "Buy Now" or "Add to Cart" option. 

A page in e-commerce that displays a collection of products within a specific category or search results, helping users browse and filter options to find what they’re looking for.

GOTS Signs applied to GOTS Goods presented in catalogues, on web pages, on advertisements or other publications (e.g. by marketplaces, sales platforms or mail order companies).

Azlon is the generic name given to protein based regenerated fibres in which the fibre-forming Substance is composed of any regenerated, naturally occurring protein. The fibre-forming Substance can be derived from various naturally occurring proteins such as skimmed milk (casein), eggs (albumin), corn and soy (zein), hide waste (collagen) etc.

Fibres that have not undergone any post-harvest processing.

An audit conducted partially or entirely off-site, using electronic means to obtain audit evidence remotely and to assess compliance with the relevant Standard criteria. This type of audit may involve the use of technology such as video conferencing, secure file sharing and/or remote access to relevant documentation. Remote audits may include a combination of off-site and on-site activities, with the auditor conducting interviews, reviewing documents and assessing compliance from a remote location.

A comprehensive approach to business operations that aligns with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. It encompasses a range of practices and policies that businesses should adopt to ensure they contribute positively to sustainable development, respect human rights, protect the environment and uphold ethical standards throughout their operations and supply chains.

A business entity or an online marketplace selling directly and exclusively to an end consumer (DTC operator).

Declaration document required to be submitted to Global Standard gGmbH by uncertified retailers who wish to use the GOTS Signs for off-product usage.

A document issued to a Certified Entity by an Approved Certification Body which verifies the entity is in conformity with the requirements of the Standard and includes a summary of the processes and products that are permitted under the certification. It also lists the various facilities that are covered under this certification.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

An individual establishment where chemical Inputs are formulated (see Formulator) and produced. It is included in a Letter of Approval and audited by a Scope 4 Approved Certifier.

An organisation which defines, publishes, and maintains a Standard.

The Standard Setting Procedure is a procedure by which the Standard Body establishes, reviews, and updates the criteria for the production, processing and labelling of certified textiles.

Committee formed by GOTS to guide and advise the GOTS Management and the Advisory Council on matters related to GOTS.

A group of experts representing all aspects of the textile value chain and tasked with being the decisive committee for decisions on the revision of the GOTS Standard and its Implementation Manual.

An entity in the supply chain of GOTS Goods performing job work (in the field of processing or manufacturing) for a Certified Entity without becoming the proprietor of the GOTS Goods. A Subcontractor may be independently certified to GOTS.

Chemical elements and their compounds as they occur in the natural state or as produced by industry.

The total weight of the following:
a) Non-certified accessories which are excluded from material composition; and/or
b) for combined products with one or more certified components, the total weight of the product minus the weight of the certified components.

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Textile products used for babies and small children up to the age of 36 months

Any device that does not penetrate inside the body, either through a body orifice or through the skin

The ability to trace the origin of an object back to its source.
In a GOTS context, the ability to trace a GOTS Good as it moves through its supply chain.