The Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) has published its Annual Report for 2021, revealing its sign-up list has, for the first time, reached five figures.
GOTS reports a 34% increase in certified operators, resulting in 10,388 organic textiles facilities worldwide in 2020 which support more than four million workers across 72 countries, ‘all benefitting from the social standards [based on International Labour Standards] included in GOTS’.
The UK now sits 13th on the global league table, having slipped from tenth place the previous year, however the Soil Association reports that sales by their certified operators grew by 9% in the same time frame to £49.5 million. ‘Significant increases’ are seen worldwide, with the top ten countries for certified facilities now listed as: India (2,994), Bangladesh (1,584), Turkey (1,107), China (961), Germany (684), Italy (585), Portugal (449), Pakistan (391), USA (167) and Sri Lanka (126).
Decision makers value GOTS as an important tool to drive sustainable transformation in a comprehensive way – from field to fashion
“The exceptional increase in this unprecedented year shows that decision makers value GOTS as an important tool to drive sustainable transformation in a comprehensive way – from field to fashion. Using organic fibres and processing them under strict GOTS criteria definitely provides a credible and strong base for market players to be successful in the future,” says GOTS Managing Director Claudia Kersten.
GOTS says that while increases show ‘promising growth and demand’ in order for organic textiles to become ‘a significant part of everyday life’ more consumer education is needed to create necessary awareness of ‘the exacting standards that underpin GOTS certification’.
