If you supply to European or US sustainable fashion brands, you will be asked for GOTS or OEKO-TEX — or both. GOTS certifies that your textile uses organic fibres and is processed without harmful chemicals. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifies that a specific textile article has been tested and found free from harmful levels of substances — even if the fibre is not organic.
GOTS
Organic fibre + clean processing + social criteria
OEKO-TEX 100
Harmful substance test on the finished article
Transaction cert.
Required for every GOTS certified sale
GOTS and OEKO-TEX are textile certifications that prove your products meet sustainability and safety standards. GOTS requires your entire supply chain to be certified and traceable. OEKO-TEX requires the finished product to pass laboratory tests for harmful substances. Your job: use only approved inputs and maintain accurate records at every processing stage.
Product class determines how strict the test limits are
Quick reference. GOTS v7.0 (current). Certified by GOTS-approved certification bodies. Two grades: Grade 1 (certified organic — min 95% organic fibre), Grade 2 (made with organic — min 70%). Transaction certificates required at every stage. Social criteria (labour conditions) audited alongside technical. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 v2024: 4 product classes. Class I (baby products): strictest. Class II (skin contact), Class III (no direct skin contact), Class IV (decoration). Annual renewal with sample re-testing.
GOTS v7.0
Current version
OEKO-TEX 100 v2024
Current version
4 classes
Product risk determines test limits
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 are two complementary but different textile sustainability certifications. GOTS focuses on organic fibre origin and processing conditions. OEKO-TEX focuses on harmful substance content in the finished article. Many exporters hold both because different buyers require different certifications.
GOTS
Organic origin + process
OEKO-TEX 100
Finished article substance test
Both
Complementary — often held together
Required by European and US sustainable fashion buyersGOTS — organic fibre chain of custody. OEKO-TEX — harmful substance testingTransaction certificates required for every GOTS certified sale
What’s on this page
01 —What it isUnderstanding GOTS & OEKO-TEX
Two certifications, two different things — organic origin versus harmful substance testing.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies that a textile article is made from organic fibres, processed without prohibited chemicals, and produced under fair labour conditions. Every stage of the supply chain — from fibre to finished product — must be GOTS certified and accompanied by transaction certificates.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifies that a specific textile article has been tested for harmful substances and found within safe limits. It does not require organic fibre — a polyester fabric can hold OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification if it passes the substance tests. The standard has four product classes, with Class I (baby products) having the strictest limits.
Many buyers require both: GOTS for organic origin claims, and OEKO-TEX for harmful substance assurance. Some buyers accept one or the other. Confirm your specific buyer's requirement before starting certification.
GOTS and OEKO-TEX are not interchangeable. GOTS with organic fibre does not automatically mean OEKO-TEX 100 compliant — the finished article still needs to pass substance testing. OEKO-TEX 100 on a conventional fibre article does not satisfy a buyer asking for GOTS organic certification.
👥 Illustrative case — details changed for confidentiality
The business
Knitwear manufacturer Tirupur · 180 employees, exporting to Germany and Sweden
The trigger
A German organic fashion brand asked for GOTS certification before finalising a long-term supply contract. The manufacturer used organic cotton but had no formal GOTS certification.
The challenge
Pre-certification audit found that while they sourced organic fibre, they were using some dyes not on the GOTS approved list. Wastewater treatment records were incomplete. The transaction certificate system — which tracks certified fibre through every stage — did not exist.
Where Clicarity came in
They managed the GOTS certification programme in Clicarity. GOTS Grade 1 (100% organic) and Grade 2 (made with organic) production ran as separate sub-jobs — different label claims, different minimum organic content thresholds. The wet processing stage required GOTS-approved dye supplier confirmation before sign-off.
The result
GOTS certification achieved. German brand supply contract signed.
The discipline of treating each stage as a signed-off step — especially the dye approval check — changed how we managed the wet processing part of the business.
02 —Who needs itIs it right for you?
Do you actually need it? Honest answer.
✓ You need it
Textile and garment manufacturers supplying European or US sustainable fashion brands
Yarn and fabric producers whose buyers require organic or substance-tested certifications
Manufacturers of baby or children's textiles (OEKO-TEX Class I)
∼ Check buyer requirement
Home textile manufacturers — OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is widely required
Technical textile manufacturers — OEKO-TEX Class IV may be required
— Neither required unless
Buyers have not specified GOTS or OEKO-TEX — confirm before investing in certification
03 —What it requiresWhat is checked
GOTS and OEKO-TEX — what each certification requires.
1
GOTS: Certified organic fibre with transaction certificates
Raw fibre must be from a GOTS-certified organic source. Transaction certificate from fibre supplier accompanies every delivery.
E.g. Organic cotton from a GOTS-certified ginning mill — TC from gin to spinner to weaver to garment manufacturer.
2
GOTS: GOTS-approved inputs throughout wet processing
All dyes, auxiliaries, and chemicals used in wet processing must be from GOTS-approved suppliers or conform to GOTS chemical requirements.
E.g. Reactive dyes from a GOTS-approved supplier. No azo dyes, no formaldehyde finishes.Most common gap: One chemical input from a non-approved supplier used informally. GOTS auditors check chemical purchase records.
3
GOTS: Wastewater treatment
Facilities with wet processing must have functioning wastewater treatment. Effluent parameters monitored and recorded.
E.g. Effluent treatment plant in operation. Monthly pH, BOD, COD records.
4
GOTS: Social criteria audit
Labour conditions audited alongside technical requirements: no child labour, minimum wages paid, working hours legal, freedom of association.
E.g. GOTS auditor interviews workers on wages and working hours — same as SA8000 social audit methodology.
5
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: Article submission for testing
The specific article to be certified must be submitted to an OEKO-TEX member institute for testing. Tests cover 100+ substances.
E.g. Fabric sample submitted to Hohenstein or equivalent OEKO-TEX member institute. Testing against all substances in the relevant product class.
6
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: Annual renewal
Certificate is valid for one year. Annual renewal requires re-submission of samples and re-testing.
E.g. Certificate expires 12 months from issue. New samples submitted 1-2 months before expiry for testing and renewal.Most common gap: Renewal deadline missed. Certificate lapses. Buyer shipment delayed.
What inspectors really check
GOTS: Annual on-site audit by a GOTS-approved CB + transaction certificate verification + chemical input records. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: Laboratory testing of submitted samples — no factory audit required, but component declarations must be accurate.
Gap analysis checklist — tick what you already have
GOTS: All fibre from GOTS-certified organic sources with TCs
Transaction certificates on file from every fibre supplier.
GOTS: All chemical inputs from GOTS-approved suppliers
Chemical purchase records available for audit.
GOTS: Wastewater treatment functioning with monitoring records
Monthly effluent data.
GOTS: Social criteria met — labour conditions auditable
Same standard as SA8000 core requirements.
OEKO-TEX 100: Correct product class identified
Baby/children = Class I, skin contact = Class II, etc.
OEKO-TEX 100: Article submitted to OEKO-TEX member institute
GOTS is certified by GOTS-approved certification bodies. Find the current list at global-standard.org. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is issued by OEKO-TEX member institutes — find them at oeko-tex.com.
For GOTS: Every company in your supply chain must be GOTS-certified — the fibre supplier, spinner, weaver, dyer, and garment manufacturer. One uncertified stage breaks the chain and the entire supply chain's GOTS claim is invalid.
GOTS — Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS standard, approved CBs, and certified companies.
Confirm buyer requirement: GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or both
Before starting — confirm exactly what is needed.
Step 2 (GOTS)
Verify full supply chain is GOTS-certified
From fibre to your stage. One uncertified link = invalid claim.
Step 3 (GOTS)
Audit chemical inputs and wet processing
Replace non-GOTS inputs. Wastewater treatment in place.
Step 4 (OEKO-TEX)
Identify product class and submit article
To OEKO-TEX member institute. Testing 4-6 weeks.
Certification
Annual renewal
OEKO-TEX: annual. GOTS: annual audit.
Ongoing
TC for every GOTS sale
Accompany every certified consignment.
▶Where to begin: Use the checklist in Section 3 to assess your readiness before contacting any CB.
GOTS Grade 1
Min 95% organic fibre
Label: GOTS — certified organic
GOTS Grade 2
Min 70% organic fibre
Label: made with X% organic materials
OEKO-TEX class
Depends on end use
Class I (babies) strictest
OEKO-TEX validity
1 year
Annual re-testing required
For GOTS, the weakest link in your supply chain determines your certification. If your dye supplier is not GOTS-approved, your certification is at risk regardless of how compliant the rest of your process is.
06 —Find certified companiesHow to verify
How to find and verify certified organisations.
GOTS certified companies are searchable in the GOTS public database at global-standard.org. OEKO-TEX certified articles can be verified using the label code on the OEKO-TEX website.
How to verify: To confirm whether any organisation holds a current GOTS & OEKO-TEX certification, use the official register. Verify the issuing CB's accreditation at nabcb.qci.org.in.
Good records are the foundation. A process tracker builds them automatically.
Clicarity — Live Job Process Tracker & Bottleneck Identifier
Clicarity doesn't certify your textiles. It tracks your GOTS and OEKO-TEX production process — ensuring fibre traceability, approved inputs, and certifications are in place for every consignment.
GOTS requires traceability at every production stage with transaction certificates. OEKO-TEX requires tested article submissions and annual renewal. Both require process discipline — the right supplier confirmation at the right stage, for every production run. In Clicarity, GOTS production jobs track the chain of custody from fibre TC to buyer TC. OEKO-TEX certification tracks sample submissions, lab test results, and annual renewal triggers. When production covers multiple product classes (baby vs adult fabric), each class is tracked as a sub-job independently.
GOTS: fibre receipt captures supplier TC and certificate number — the chain of custody starts at raw material receipt, not at finished product.
GOTS wet processing: GOTS-approved dye/chemical confirmation required at the stage before sign-off — preventing non-compliant inputs entering certified production.
OEKO-TEX: different product classes tested separately (Class I for babies has stricter limits than Class II for adults). Each tested as a sub-job independently.
Clicarity tracks OEKO-TEX renewal dates — annual re-submission of samples is required and missing the renewal window means loss of certification.
📄 Job tracked in Clicarity
#TX-2026-08 — GOTS certified fabric order — 5,000 metres
Order created
✎Product
✎Buyer
#Qty (metres)
▼GOTS certification no.
▼Organic fibre source confirmed
→
Raw fibre receipt
▼Supplier GOTS cert. no.
✎Organic content (%)
✎Fibre lot no.
#Qty received (kg)
📷Transaction certificate
→
Spinning / weaving
#Qty in (kg)
#Qty out (metres)
▼GOTS approved dyes used
▼Wastewater treatment active
▼Operator
→
Wet processing / dyeing
▼Dyestuff supplier GOTS approved
▼Chemical inputs list
▼Wastewater treatment log
#Effluent pH recorded
▼Operator
▼ Job splits — each component tracked independently
#TX-2026-08-A
Certified organic — 3,000 metres
▼Transaction cert. issued
#Qty
▼Label grade: GOTS Grade 1
#TX-2026-08-B
Made with organic — 2,000 metres
▼Transaction cert. issued
#Qty
▼Label grade: GOTS Grade 2
▲
Components rejoin as #TX-2026-08 — complete record of every branch, every data point, every sign-off preserved.
Quality inspection
▼Inspector
#Sample size
▼Pass / Fail
✎Test report ref.
📷Photo
→
Transaction certificate issued
✎TC no.
📅Issue date
▼Certifier
#Qty on TC
▼Buyer details on TC
→
Despatch
#Qty despatched
📅Despatch date
✎Invoice no.
▼TC copy with shipment
▼Buyer confirmed
Wastage tracked:▰ GOTS Grade 1 (certified organic) and Grade 2 (made with organic) packed as separate sub-jobs — different label claims▰ Transaction certificate issued separately for each grade▰ TC must accompany the shipment — no TC = buyer cannot maintain GOTS chain of custody
ⓘ Fields and stage names are fully customisable. This illustrates a typical textile manufacturer — GOTS certified organic fabric production setup.
👥 Illustrative case — details changed for confidentiality
The business
Knitwear manufacturer Tirupur · 180 employees, exporting to Germany and Sweden
The trigger
A German organic fashion brand asked for GOTS certification before finalising a long-term supply contract. The manufacturer used organic cotton but had no formal GOTS certification.
The challenge
Pre-certification audit found that while they sourced organic fibre, they were using some dyes not on the GOTS approved list. Wastewater treatment records were incomplete. The transaction certificate system — which tracks certified fibre through every stage — did not exist.
Where Clicarity came in
They managed the GOTS certification programme in Clicarity. GOTS Grade 1 (100% organic) and Grade 2 (made with organic) production ran as separate sub-jobs — different label claims, different minimum organic content thresholds. The wet processing stage required GOTS-approved dye supplier confirmation before sign-off.
The result
GOTS certification achieved. German brand supply contract signed.
The discipline of treating each stage as a signed-off step — especially the dye approval check — changed how we managed the wet processing part of the business.
Clicarity is a process tracking tool. It does not provide certification, consulting, or audit services.