The word "organic" gets used a lot in fashion. Sometimes it refers to the fibre. Sometimes it refers to a vague brand positioning. GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard, is the certification that puts rigour behind the claim. It's one of the most comprehensive organic textile certifications in the world, and it covers a lot more than just the fibre.
What Is GOTS?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It's an internationally recognised certification for organic textiles that covers the entire supply chain from the organic fibre at the source through to the finished labelled product. That includes fibre processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution.
Certification is independently assessed by approved third-party certification bodies, not self-assessed by the brand or manufacturer.
What GOTS Certification Covers
GOTS sets strict criteria across several areas:
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Organic fibre content, a minimum percentage of certified organic fibres is required
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Processing standards, restrictions on toxic chemicals, dyes and finishing agents used during manufacturing
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Wastewater treatment, requirements for responsible management of processing effluents
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Social criteria, covering worker rights, fair wages and safe working conditions throughout the certified supply chain
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Packaging and labelling, restrictions on GMO content and recycled content requirements
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Distribution and storage, chain of custody requirements from fibre to retail
The breadth of GOTS is what makes it meaningful. It doesn't just certify that the raw material was organic. It verifies that organic integrity is maintained throughout the entire production process.
Why GOTS Matters for Clothing
An organic fibre can lose much of its environmental and safety advantage if it's then processed with toxic chemicals, dyed with restricted substances, or manufactured in facilities with no social accountability. GOTS closes that gap. It connects the organic claim to the production process and the finished product in a way that organic raw material certification alone doesn't.
GOTS and Boody
At Boody, thoughtful design starts before a garment reaches your wardrobe. Select Boody fabrics are GOTS certified, including our Bamboo Jersey Lightweight, Bamboo Jersey Midweight and Bamboo Jersey Heavyweight fabrics. For fabric blends that include other fibres, such as FreeMesh® and Bamboo Ribbed, the organic fibre components are certified under the standard.
That matters because GOTS looks beyond the raw material alone. It helps verify responsible processing, organic integrity and supply chain standards, giving customers greater confidence in the fabrics used across close-to-skin essentials like underwear, sleepwear and Period & Leak-Proof Underwear.
GOTS Alongside Our Other Certifications
GOTS complements our ECOCERT certified organic bamboo source, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics, and PFAS-free manufacturing. Each certification addresses a different part of the supply chain. Together, they build a more honest, complete picture of what goes into our products, from the ground the bamboo grows in to the fabric on your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GOTS certification mean?
GOTS certification means a product has met the Global Organic Textile Standard's requirements across the entire production chain from organic fibre through to the finished labelled product. Certification covers processing standards, social criteria, packaging and chain of custody.
Is GOTS certification independently verified?
Yes. GOTS certification is independently assessed by approved third-party certification bodies. It is not self-assessed.
What's the difference between GOTS and OEKO-TEX?
GOTS certifies the organic integrity of the textile production chain, from fibre to finished product. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests finished fabrics for harmful substances. They serve different but complementary purposes: GOTS addresses how something was produced organically; OEKO-TEX verifies the safety of the finished fabric.
Why does GOTS certification matter more than just using organic cotton or bamboo?
Because an organic raw material can be processed with toxic chemicals during manufacturing, undermining the environmental and safety benefits of the original organic fibre. GOTS verifies that organic integrity is maintained throughout the entire production process, not just at the raw material stage.
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