Organic Cotton Certification – Environment Saviour

Here are some bitter facts about fashion industry. 8 out of 10 clothing end up at a dumping ground somewhere around the planet. Rivers, lakes and even oceans get polluted at different stages of textile production. Raw materials for apparels consume astonishing quantities of water, creating drought-like situation in some geographies. Restricting the production or use is simply unfeasible. However, exploiting alternative options such as organic cotton as a base material can significantly reduce impact on the environment. Shoppers / consumers can do their bit by buying eco-fashion products with GOTS Certification.

So, what exactly is GOTS?

GOTS is synonym for global organic textiles standard. It is a recognized body, and international standard for sustainable garment manufacturing with an interesting history. In 2002, at Intercot Conference in Düsseldorf, industry leaders demanded uniform organic textile standards. Their argument was simple; harmonizing or streamlining the rules of this domain will allow businesses to create seamless eco-fashion brands. Incidentally, the rules were finally laid out in 2006. Today, it is mandatory for manufacturers to adhere to these conventions to get GOTS certification.

GOTS Label – A Pride to Own, Difficult to Adhere 

The GOTS certification is not just a piece of paper, or a pat on the back, it is a fantastic effort from fashion brands to contribute towards a greener and healthier planet. GOTS covers the entire organic textiles supply chain. To fetch this coveted certification textile and apparel manufacturers need to adhere to the following rules.

  1. Farming – At the very outset, GOTS recommends organic farming. It simply means the plant fibres need to be grown without the use of pesticides and insecticides. It also recommends safe working conditions for the labour, exploit techniques which consume minimum natural resources like water. Farmers, cotton crop cultivators, apparel manufacturers who follow these rules are offered GOTS certified organic cotton seal.
  2. Fabric Manufacturing and Processing – Fabric manufacturing and processing is quite complex. It involves transformation of fibres into yarn and then converting them into fabric which is further processed to include desired colour, finish and sheen. To get GOTS certified fabric stamp one needs to make sure that the manufacturing facility has provision for water treatment and efficient disposable avenues. Moreover, the fabric needs to be free from chemicals and bonded child labour.
  3. Fashion Clothing – To fetch GOTS certification for finished product, the wearable must be made up of at least 95% organic fibres, yarns and fabric. Of course even they have to be certified for complying with GOTS convention. Moreover, the residual chemical percentage in eco-friendly garments has to be minuscule.
  4. Finished Products and Packaging – Packaging should be free from plastic and other non-biodegradable materials while the finished products should be devoid of chemical left-overs.

Conclusion –

Textile and fashion industries that are sensitive to environmental issues, GOTS organic cotton certification and GOTS certification for blended organic material is a great way to show their support. It not only infuses pride in these brands but also fetches them the label of responsible entrepreneurs. Informed and educated consumers prefer GOTS certified fashion products over non-certified helping these brands improve their sales and loyalty. GOTS seal of approval is a compelling and a credible certification for textile industry.