Glossary

A Certification Body, having been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body and by way of signing a contract with Global Standard gGmbH has been permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard over a designated geogprahical area and for specific scopes of the Standard.

A processor, manufacturer, trader, or retailer involved in the production, handling, or distribution of certified products (GOTS Goods) and that has been officially certified by an Approved Certification Body.

The total weight (kg) of the certified material in a product excluding all non-certified items (material,fibre,accessories, packaging) of a product.

A body or forum formed by one nominated person from each Approved Certification Body, convened by a desginated officer of Global Standard gGmbH (currently the Managing Director), to dicsuss matters of mutual interest.

A Chemical Formulator places chemical products on the market under own trade name. Generally the recipe, formulation and processing know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier. These chemical products can be manufactured by either the Chemical Supplier itself, or another Chemical Formulator or a toll-manufacturer.

Producing of chemical products on behalf of another Chemical Supplier. The recipe, process technology and know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier, not the manufacturer.

A Chemical Formulator places chemical products on the market under own trade name. Generally the recipe, formulation and processing know-how belong to the Chemical Supplier. These chemical products can be manufactured by either the Chemical Supplier itself, or another Chemical Formulator or a toll-manufacturer.

Purchasing of finished chemical products from a Chemical Supplier and distribution of these products under own brand/trade name and responsibility. Some chemical companies are using the term “sourcing” as synonym for this activity.

One- or two-sided application of coating compounds or foam films to fabric by means of coating machines, rotary screen printing or by means of spray, hot melt and transfer coating methods.

Consumer products that are normally not classified as textile fibre products but containing textile fibre components, such as prams with textile fabrics, bassinets, car seats or furniture with textile fabric upholstery. 

Any substance that is not intended to be present and that is thus charactertized as an impurity, including chemical residues and the presence of genetic material that does not occur naturally.

The presence of a -> Contaminant.

Agricultural practices that do not conform to a norm of organic agricultural production.

Critical non-conformity means a severe violation of the GOTS requirements that requires immediate withdrawal of certification and possibly suspension from the GOTS system, and that involves one or more of the following:
- Illegal activities or evidence of criminal behaviour;
- Non-compliance resulting in, or likely to result in, serious harm to individuals, communities, or the environment or an immediate danger to the life and safety of workers;
- Evidence of deliberate deception, manipulation, or fraud in relation to the standard's requirements.