What are the certification process ?

During the production of fabrics, the use of water and energy is monitored. GOTS must be provided with information and statistics on how much water and energy they are consuming per kg of textile production.

If they are not met, target goals and procedures are put in place to reduce water and energy consumption. These goals must be fulfilled.

Here’s some criteria the process must meet:

• All organic raw materials must be clearly labelled as such at all stages of the supply chain, and kept separately from other materials.
• Once the raw fibre is collected, the processing and manufacturing is monitored to ensure all dyes/process chemicals is evaluated and meets requirements on toxicity and biodegradability.
• The use of toxic heavy metals, toxic chemicals, Benzidine, Parathion, Mercury, Aldicarb, any aromatic solvents, Formaldehyde, GMO and their enzymes, is strictly prohibited.
• Knitting and oils must not contain any heavy metals.
• Any bleaches used in the process of the product must be oxygen based. Strictly no chlorine bleaching is used. 
• Any dyes that release carcinogenic amine compounds are strictly prohibited.
• Discharge printing methods using aromatic solvents and plastisol printing methods using phthalates and PVC are prohibited,
• All operators must have an environmental policy including target goals and procedures to minimise waste. 
• Packaging materials are also monitored including buttons (for example coconut shell buttons are often used), packaging must not contain PVC. All cardboard, papers, tags etc must be recycled or certified accordingly.

Once the whole process from farm to final product is monitored, and meet GOTS criteria and requirements, manufacturers are then allowed to be issued with a GOTS certification and can use the GOTS label in the final product.

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Steps for global organic textile standards GOTS audit certification:

1. Application: Fill in and submit the application form provided by the organization, including the certification location and other information.

2. Agreement: After confirming the application form, the certification body will sign an agreement with the customer and provide a quotation.

III. Audit: After signing the agreement and paying the certification fee, the certification begins to evaluate the GOTS file (for example: material flow chart for each location, including risk point, GOTS system plan (institution sent checklist), program manual). At the same time, the auditor began preparing for an on-site audit.

IV. Review and conclusion: On-site audit is completed, we need to ensure that all corrective actions are resolved. After that, the institution issues a certificate.

V. Time: General basic certification takes 5-10 working weeks, which can be completed ahead of schedule according to your company’s preparation.

In addition to the GOTS certification standards, Shanghai Supernet will provide professional consulting services in the industry. This will save you a lot of time and cost.

It is reported that in 2012, more than 3,000 brands in 62 countries around the world have been certified by GOTS, and the number of brands certified in 2013 reached 3,085. The top five countries with certifications are India, Turkey, Germany, China, and Korea. There are currently 17 certification organizations, all of which are available for inspection at GOTS.

GOTS certification is a supply chain retrospective certification. For example, the trading company is a unit; all suppliers of downstream suppliers are required to be certified.