Sustainable or Socially Conscious? Get both with GOTS certification!

In 2023, Global Standard, the non-profit that manages the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), asked consumers in Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. about their shopping habits. Just over 66% said they want more of their textiles to be ethically and sustainably produced, with another 59% who want to know that every stage of product’s manufacturing is fair for the workers, as well as being environmentally friendly.  

The question of how to find ethically produced items is a tough one. Buying a GOTS-labelled item means the product was made with both the environment and the rights of workers in mind. GOTS is the worldwide leading voluntary textile processing standard for natural organic fibres with strict environmental, human rights and social requirements along the entire supply chain. 

GOTS ensures that the rights of workers in GOTS Certified Entities are respected and upheld, thereby setting a high bar of excellence within the industry. The latest version of the Standard, GOTS 7.0, includes a robust human rights and social criteria, and are based on the main International Labour Organisation Conventions, United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidance documents, and the overarching International Bill of Human Rights. All processors, manufacturers and retailers are required to follow these norms and conduct their business responsibly in order to receive GOTS certification.

When you get to the core of GOTS, it is about protecting people and the planet. By ensuring that all Certified Entities adhere to rigorous human rights and social criteria, Global Standard promotes respect for human rights and improves the working conditions of textile workers throughout the entire organic textile value chain around the globe.

What are the GOTS Human Rights & Social Criteria? 

Important highlights under GOTS Version 7.0 include:

• Prohibition of forced labour. GOTS prohibits forced labour. No employee shall be compelled to work under the menace of penalty, including through force or intimidation of any form. In addition, workers are free to leave their employer after a mutually agreed notice period. 

• Prohibition of child labour. GOTS has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child labour and gives utmost importance to protecting young workers. GOTS requires that young people, if employed, are not doing the hazardous work, are able to continue their education and have access to vocational or technical training.

• Prohibition of discrimination, harassment and violence.  Certified Entities are required to take decisions regarding employment, promotions, discipline and other work assignments solely based on merits, the person’s ability to perform the job, rather than personal characteristics, such as race, national extraction, social background, religion, age, disability, marital status, parental status, association or trade union membership, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or political opinion.

• Gender equality. GOTS requires that Certified Entities work towards gender equality by ensuring that hiring, promotion and reward practices are fair and transparent. Equal opportunities for training and career development, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity are assured to every worker. Additionally, Certified Entities must also protect pregnant women, mothers, and their children, to ensure their health and safety. Female workers should be safeguarded against threats of being fired or facing negative employment decisions related to marriage or pregnancy. Going one step further, GOTS specially stands against discrimination of workers with family responsibilities when being hired or in their job status.

• Maternity and pregnancy rights. In addition to the requirements related to gender equality, a Certified Entity has the responsibility of pregnant women’s healthy and safe working conditions, while also preventing dismissals and career setbacks due to pregnancy or maternity leave.

• Union rights and freedom of association. GOTS requires a Certified Entity to allow space for trade unions and collective bargaining. GOTS Certified Entity workers’ representatives are free to perform their functions without fear of reprisals. 

• The right to work in safe and hygienic working conditions. Occupational health and safety measures must be in place to prevent hazards, illness, accidents or other injuries.

• Workers’ rights to fair and timely wages. Wages and benefits paid for regular working hours must meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher. Wages should always suffice to meet basic needs and provide some discretionary income. Additionally, a Certified Entity is required to develop a plan to cover the wage gap and pay its workers the living wage. 

• Working hours. Workers cannot be required to work more than eight hours a day, or 48 hours per week, regularly (excluding overtime, which can’t exceed 12 hours per week). 

• Equal treatment of migrant workers. A Certified Entity is required to protect migrant workers. GOTS sets a clear requirement that migrant workers are treated equally as compared to local workers and must in no way be taken advantage of.

GOTS is a processing standard and does not cover the farm level of production, that is agricultural cultivation of raw material. Nevertheless, Certified Entities must ensure that the organic natural fibres used in GOTS certified textiles are produced respecting GOTS’ human rights and social criteria.  When you get to the core of GOTS, it is about protecting people and the planet. By ensuring that all Certified Entities adhere to rigorous human rights and social criteria, Global Standard promotes respect for human rights and improves the working conditions of textile workers throughout the entire organic textile value chain around the globe.