GOTS — the Global Organic Textile Standard — is the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. If you sell to major EU or UK retailers, there is a good chance they require GOTS certification from their suppliers. Here's what you need to know.
What GOTS actually certifies
GOTS certifies the entire supply chain from raw fibre to finished product, covering:
- Organic fibre content — minimum 70% certified organic fibre (95% for the "organic" label tier)
- Processing chemicals — prohibited substances list covering dyestuffs, finishing agents, and auxiliaries
- Wastewater treatment — certified facilities must have functional treatment plants
- Social criteria — ILO core labour standards, no child labour, fair wages
- Traceability — every handler in the chain must be certified, creating an unbroken audit trail
This is why GOTS carries weight: it's not just a fibre test, it's a whole-chain audit.
Why EU retailers require it
Several forces are driving GOTS adoption among EU brands:
- EU Green Deal and textile strategy — incoming regulations are increasing due diligence requirements on environmental claims
- Consumer demand — "organic" claims without certification are increasingly scrutinised
- Retailer own-label policies — H&M, Marks & Spencer, C&A, and others have published GOTS requirements for organic ranges
- Green claims directive — vague sustainability claims are being banned; certified claims are the safe harbour
In short: if your customer is a mid-to-large EU retailer, assume they will ask for GOTS.
GOTS in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers of GOTS-certified cotton fabric. The certified mills are concentrated in:
- Faisalabad — Pakistan's textile capital, home to most certified weaving and processing facilities
- Karachi — major export hub with certified garment manufacturers
- Lahore — growing certified knit sector
Our supplier network includes GOTS-certified facilities across all three cities. Certificate numbers are available on request and can be verified directly at the GOTS public database.
How to request GOTS-certified products
When submitting an RFQ, tick "GOTS" under required certifications. We will:
- Confirm which products in our catalogue carry active GOTS certification
- Share the certificate number and expiry date before you commit to an order
- Ensure the transaction certificate (TC) is issued for your specific shipment — this is the document your retailer will ask for
Important: A facility certificate alone is not enough. Always ask for the transaction certificate for your specific order — it proves that the certified material was used in your shipment.
GOTS vs OEKO-TEX: which do you need?
These are often confused but serve different purposes:
| | GOTS | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | |---|---|---| | Tests for | Organic content + process | Harmful substances only | | Supply chain audit | Yes, full chain | No | | Social criteria | Yes | No | | Consumer label | Yes | Yes | | Retailer requirement | Organic ranges | Mass-market safety |
Many buyers need both: GOTS for organic claims, OEKO-TEX 100 as a baseline safety requirement across all products.
Ready to source GOTS-certified fabric? Browse our certified products or submit an RFQ with your specification.