Strict criteria for ‘additional fibre material’ and a new category for ‘combined products’ are among the changes in Version 5.0 of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), released on 1 March 2017.
GOTS is a collaboration between the OTA (USA), IVN (Germany), Soil Association (UK) and JOCA (Japan), working together with other international stakeholder organizations. The standard covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. GOTS covers products ranging from fabrics and clothing, to home textiles and mattresses.
Under Version 5.0 the criteria for the ‘additional fibre material’ are now stricter. For example, the use of Viscose and Modal is restricted to 10% (25% for sportswear and socks). Lyocell however may still be used up to 30% because of its more sustainable manufacturing processes.
For the first time GOTS will allow ‘combined products’ such as prams with textile fabrics, bassinets, car seats or furniture with textile fabric upholstery to have certified and labelled fabric components.
Social criteria have also been tightened and an explicit section on Ethical Business Behaviour added. There is new guidance too on the use of tools such as SAI Social Fingerprint to help companies measure and improve their social performance.
Picture: GOTS certified organic textiles range from Manduca.
