Institutional and organisational Recognition for GOTS
GOTS is widely recognised by leading institutions, governments, NGOs, and international policy frameworks for its credibility, transparency, and impact. From public procurement policies to sustainability rankings, this recognition reflects our commitment to upholding the highest standards for environmental and social responsibility across the global textile sector.
Featured Recognition
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
2025
The OECD Status Completed Standards Alignment Assessment states, “The Standard includes expectations related to all six steps of the OECD Garment Guidance, with a strong degree of alignment across many important elements of the due diligence process, including key concepts.”
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Government & Policy Recognition
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
2011
The USDA National Organic Program's (NOP) "Labeling of Textiles That Contain Organic Ingredients" policy memorandum explicitly recognises GOTS and its label grade 'organic:' "Textile products that are produced in accordance with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) may be sold as organic in the U.S." USDA clarifies that 'made with organic' is also a codified label grade and can only be used for textiles certified to NOP or GOTS.
The European Parliament
2013
The European Parliament acknowledged GOTS in the “Resolution on the sustainability of the global cotton value chain” (2012/2841(RSP) as a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at enhancing sustainability in the textile sector.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
2015
The “Siegelklarheit” initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) evaluates sustainability labels. On this official platform, GOTS receives the highest rating in the textiles category—recognized as an “Excellent Choice” in the areas of credibility, environmental performance, and social responsibility.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
2024
The EPA includes GOTS in its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing so that GOTS-certified products are preferred in federal procurement processes.
Italy’s Green Public Procurement (GPP)
2014
GOTS is officially recognised in Italy’s Green Public Procurement (GPP) decree as an acceptable certification for textiles made with organic fibres. This development aligns with the European Union’s Directive 2014/24/EU, enabling public procurers to utilize voluntary sustainability standards in their specifications.
Grüner Knopf (Green Button)
2024
GOTS is recognised in Germany's Grüner Knopf (Green Button), a government-run certification for sustainable textiles, as one of the highest standards for ecological and social production.
Global IGOs & NGOs
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
2021
UNECE highlights GOTS as a key certification for sustainability and traceability in textiles by including it as a key certification in its Sustainability Pledgeproject and sustainable textile guidelines.
Greenpeace
2012 - 2013
Greenpeace has recognised GOTS as a credible certification in its Global Textile Procurement Standard. Greenpeace Germany published a guidebook in October 2013 titled “Textile Labels under the Magnifying Glass.” This guide compares eco-labels and emphasises GOTS’ high rating.
The United Nation's International Trade Centre's (ITC)
2010
The United Nation's International Trade Centre's (ITC) "Standards Map," a valuable tool for the textile industry and those involved in public procurement, has strict rules for inclusion such as public criteria or the existence of an implementation system. GOTS was one of the first voluntary standard organisations and the first textile organization to enter the data base.
Consumer Media & Guides
Utopia.de
2020
Utopia Germany recommends GOTS, “By purchasing a GOTS-certified product, you are choosing an independently tested and environmentally friendly textile.”
Fashion Revolution
2023
GOTS is listed in Fashion Revolution's consumer education resources as “the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain."
Labelinfo.ch
The Swiss website Labelinfo endorses GOTS, “Excellent, due to credibility, transparency, independence, and sustainability.”
Global Networks & Memberships
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
Ongoing
IFOAM endorses GOTS as the minimum reference for organic textile processing, including the recommendation to governments not to start development of redundant standards and regulations but to make references to GOTS as processing standard for organic labelled textiles.
ISEAL Alliance
2023
As an ISEAL Community Member, GOTS joins a number of well-respected sustainability systems that are driving positive social and environmental change across multiple sectors.