GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD

ECOLOGY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOTS NEWS · July 2023

GOTS 2022 Annual Report highlights growth, expansion and collaboration 

The GOTS 2022 Annual Report celebrates two decades of sustainable success and increased impact. GOTS expanded its reach and impact in 2022, with a 10% increase in certified facilities (to 13549) across 84 countries (a 5% rise) through 24 GOTS-approved Certification Bodies (+33%).

Key moments featured in the 37-page report include hosting the inaugural GOTS Conference in Africa, releasing new transparency and integrity criteria, launching a ground-breaking consumer-focused marketing campaign, supporting the scaling of organic cotton production, and conducting the most inclusive and collaborative year-long revision process of our standard in GOTS history.

One major milestone for GOTS in 2022 was the launch of its first-ever consumer- targeted marketing campaign, “Say No to Greenwashing. Say Yes to GOTS.” Reaching over 5 million consumers worldwide, the campaign generated a 49% increase in overall media coverage. The effort also led to a rise in industry inquiries, close to 30% more social media followers, and over half a million unique website visits.

GOTS Managing Director Claudia Kersten notes, "In the last twenty years, together with all relevant stakeholders, we have continuously improved GOTS as a tool to solve sustainability related problems for the processing of organic fibres, constantly striving toward our vision of a future in which organic textiles are a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment. We proudly invite stakeholders and industry participants to explore the report and celebrate the positive impact we have created together.”

→ Read the 2022 GOTS Annual Report.

Expanded integrity sub-unit to lead fraud investigations 

To further improve security and integrity in fraud investigations, we have established an expanded sub-unit within GOTS, directly coordinated by management. Investigations shall henceforth be carried out by this sub-unit. It shall operate using the email  to ensure safety and probity of the process. For more information, contact us. 

European Parliament advances due diligence

GOTS celebrates the European Union Parliament’s recent approval of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The legislation will require companies located or operating in the EU to implement stringent due diligence throughout their supply chain by implementing practices to prevent and mitigate human rights violations and negative environmental impacts from their operations. The directive, still awaiting final approval and implementation, will apply to companies with over 500 employees or 40 million EUR of business in the EU.

While GOTS Version 7.0 was released prior to the approval of the CSDDD, the directive complements GOTS' new requirements regarding due diligence that were established with this version. Those requirements oblige companies to conduct risk-based due diligence of Certified Entities’ own operations and their supply chains based on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and the OECD guidelines, and to address their actual and potential negative impacts on human rights and the environment.

GOTS Managing Director Rahul Bhajekar applauds the measure, noting, “The strengthened due diligence requirements across the EU will serve as a catalyst, inspiring more companies to create an environmentally healthy, equitable and safe textile industry. We are delighted that GOTS could help as a compliance tool for this new requirement.”

→ Read more about the Due Diligence Management Process in Section 4.1 of GOTS Version 7.0 here.
→ Read the CSDDD proposal here.   
→ Read more about the CSDDD here. 

GOTS and OTB hold first UK Organic Textile Week

GOTS and the UK-based Organic Trade Board (OTB) collaborated for Organic Textile Week (15-21 May) to combat greenwashing and promote the benefits of GOTS certification. The week showcased GOTS-certified OTB textile members like My Little Green Wardrobe, Natracare, People Tree, Organyc, de la Cuona, Bamford, and Greenfibres.

A poll of 2,000 people revealed that over half were ‘angry’ or ‘disgusted’ to learn that some clothing brands claiming to be organic may contain harmful chemicals. Consumers are increasingly rejecting misleading brands, with nearly three-quarters refusing to buy falsely labelled organic products.

During a roundtable discussion on 15th May, OTB Director Cristina Dimetto, GOTS-certified companies Natracare and My Little Green Wardrobe, and GOTS Representatives Lori Wyman and Christopher Stopes shared insights on the organic textile market and the reliable quality guarantee offered by GOTS certification. The event "Rooted," hosted by de Le Cuona, showcased GOTS-certified fabrics and their contribution to genuine sustainability through a natural colour palette.

GOTS and OTB jointly launched an online campaign, highlighting a unified organic sector with participation from textile, food, and drink members. The Organic Textile Week received coverage from various media outlets.

→ Visit OTB and GOTS websites to learn more about both organisations.

Did you know?

GOTS is an independent, self-financed, non-profit standard. That means that all income generated is used to reach our vision and mission. GOTS is independent of outside economic interests. GOTS receives annual fees from each certified facility, set at only €150. GOTS applies for public funding for larger projects.

→ Read more here. 

GOTS Roundtable planned in Los Angeles

Join GOTS Representative in North America, Lori Wyman at our upcoming GOTS roundtable in Los Angeles on September 29, coinciding with the LA Textile Show. This event will bring together GOTS staff, textile industry members, and other professionals in textile processing for engaging discussions within their areas of expertise.

→ Register for the Roundtable here. Space is limited. 

GOTS is hiring!

» GOTS Representative in North America
Join GOTS as our Regional Representative in North America, operating from home with regular travel. As a respected sustainability professional, you will play a pivotal role in contact acquisition, organising consultations and promotional events, representing GOTS at industry gatherings and liaising with government bodies to protect our interests. Due to retirement, this position will begin in early 2024. If you have at least three years of relevant experience, knowledge of textile processing, and excellent communication skills, click here to learn more about this exciting opportunity. 

» Working Student to assist the Public Procurement Specialist
GOTS is seeking a motivated and passionate student with a background in European studies, law, economics, or related fields, who can support our Public Procurement Specialist in implementing public procurement activities. If you're interested in making a difference, view the job posting here.

Meet GOTS

• TexWorld Evolution NYC, New York, USA, 18-20 July 2023: 
  Join GOTS Representative in North America, Lori Wyman in New York City. TexWorld NYC offers an essential opportunity for designers, consumers and experts in the textile industry to connect and gain direct access to suppliers from all around the globe.
  
  → Learn more about the event here.

• Apparel Sourcing Week 2023, Bangalore, India, 20-21 July 2023: 
  Join GOTS Representative in India, Ganesh Kasekar, for the panel discussion "Opportunities in Alternate Materials" at the Apparel Resource Week in Bangalore. 
  
  → Find out more and register here.
  
  
• Neonyt Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany 22-24 July 2023: 
  Join GOTS Representative in DACH, Juliane Zeigler, at Neonyt Düsseldorf. 
  
  → Find out more and register here. 
  
  
• SaigonFabric 2023 (Summer), Hochiminh City, Vietnam, 26-29 July 2023: 
  Join GOTS Representative in APAC, Felicia Shi, at SaigonFabric 2023, for GOTS' first-ever trade show in Vietnam, an important and growing market for GOTS. Felicia will host a booth and will be available to advise attendees about certification. 
  
  → Learn more about SaigonFabric here. 
  
  
• Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics 2023 Autumn Edition, Shanghai, China, 28-30 August 2023: 
  Join GOTS Representative in APAC, Felicia Shi, at the Intertextile Shanghai Autumn show. Felicia will host a booth and lead a seminar at the show.
  
  → Learn more about the show here and stay tuned for further details. 
  
  
• 38th World Fashion Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 22-25 October 2023: 
  Join GOTS Representative in North America, Lori Wyman as she hosts a GOTS informational booth at the World Fashion Convention. Held by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the Sewn Product Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) the show will bring together professionals from throughout the supply chain. 
  
  → Learn more here. 

© 2023 by Global Organic Textile Standard

Legal information · Contact

Click here to unsubscribe