GOTS tops 5000 facilities in 2017

The number of facilities certified to GOTS shows an increase of 8,2 per cent, from 4,642 facilities in 2016 to 5,024 facilities in 2017. GOTS-certified facilities are located in 62 countries around the world with continuous growth in both production as well as consuming regions. GOTS certification covers the processing of certified organic fibres along the entire supply chain from field to finished product.

Countries or regions with the largest increase in GOTS certification in 2017 are (in rank order): Bangladesh (+40 per cent), North America (+39 per cent), Portugal (+39 per cent), Europe (+29 per cent). The top 10 countries in terms of number of certified facilities are: India (1,658), Bangladesh (534), Germany (480), Turkey (445), Italy (307), China (292), Pakistan (194), Portugal (180), USA (99) and South Korea (69).

“The growing number of GOTS certifications shows that GOTS is taken as a solution for managing risks, reputation and market differentiation. We are very pleased with the development in North America. It will have the same pull effect as also seen in Europe by creating increasing capacities in the producing countries”, said GOTS Director Claudia Kersten at the GOTS Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 2017, 19 GOTS accredited independent Certification Bodies reported more than 1,74 million people working in GOTS certified facilities. The number of chemicals on the GOTS Positive List also shows an increase of 14 per cent to more than 17,900 from 720 manufacturers. The GOTS Positive List contains tradenames of approved chemicals that must be used by all textile processors for GOTS certified production.

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 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 social compliance management systems and strict waste water treatment practices.

GOTS was developed by leading international agencies – Organic Trade Association (US), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany) and Soil Association (UK) to define recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles. GOTS is a non-profit organisation. For further information on GOTS, visit: www.global-standard.org