Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) UK Round Table Generated a Sense of Common Purpose
Press Release
London, 6th December 2019
At the GOTS UK round table, organized by Christopher Stopes GOTS Representative to the UK, held on 4th December in London, the challenges and opportunities of going for GOTS were discussed by 40 invited industry leaders. Amongst them large and small brands, retailers, start-ups and fledgling businesses. All of the participants are involved in implementing sustainability initiatives and many are already working as part of the GOTS-certified supply chain.
Sustainable cotton expert Simon Ferrigno, writer for EcoTextile News and author of the forthcoming insiders-guide to cotton sustainability, gave an inspiring account of the urgent need for change in the industry, alongside the challenges and opportunities. Christopher Stopes set the focus on ‘GOTS why and how?’. Two key outcomes of the four round table discussions were - firstly to engage and communicate more clearly with consumers about the benefits of GOTS, and secondly to get more manufacturers to certify to GOTS to grow the market.
Jenny Hulme, Head of Buying at the pioneering GOTS-certified fashion brand People Tree said: "It was great to learn more about the benefits of organic products, meet with likeminded professionals and discuss together how we can bring more of these amazing, sustainable fibres to market."
The GOTS regional Representatives organize events around the world to bring together stakeholders and to receive feedback on the specific needs of market participants. Save the date for the next UK GOTS round table taking place alongside Pure London on 10th February 2020. For more information and participation please contact Christopher Stopes.
About GOTS: GOTS is the stringent voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing) of apparel and home textiles made with certified organic fibre (such as organic cotton and organic wool), and includes both environmental and social criteria. Key provisions include a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), highly hazardous chemicals (such as azo dyes and formaldehyde), and child labour, while requiring strong social compliance management systems and strict waste water treatment practices. GOTS was developed by leading international standard setters - Organic Trade Association (U.S.), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany), and Soil Association (UK) to define globally-recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles, from field to finished product.
GOTS is a non-profit organisation which is self-financed. For more information please see www.global-standard.org and follow @globalorganictextilestandard on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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The GOTS logo is available for download.
Christopher Stopes
Representative to the UK
GOTS
Global Organic Textile Standard
