The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading processing standard for organic textiles, including ecological and social criteria. GOTS ensures that cotton in a product is grown organically and ethically. GOTS defines organic textiles as "containing a minimum content of organic fibres, being processed with the least possible environmental impact, under strict controls on natural and synthetic chemical inputs and with respect for labour conditions." The certification also focuses on what happens after the farm gate, following the cotton through the supply chain to ensure that GOTS certified items are all made with sustainable, safe + healthy, and socially responsible practices.

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Some of the requirements for GOTS certification include:

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• Requires a minimum of 95% organic fibers

• Fibers cannot be processed with toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, or nano particles

• Evaluation of toxicity and biodegradability for chemical inputs

• All dyes must be nontoxic and textiles cannot be treated with chlorine bleach

• Must have a social compliance management system, with defined elements in place to ensure that the social criteria are met

• Must adhere to ethical labor practices, such as freedom of association and collective bargaining, living wages, and no child labor

• Chlorinated plastics like PVC can’t be used in packaging