What is GOTS and How Does it Benefit Conscious Consumers?
by Stephanie Ho Lem, CHCA Director of Living Green
When spring comes, we get caught up with spring cleaning, which includes our closets. It feels good to be in style with a new wardrobe. If you feel this way, you are not alone, there’s a growing market for cheaper clothing and new styles, but it’s taking a toll on the environment. On average, people are buying double what they bought in 2000 and throw out more because of fashion. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes river and streams. What’s more, 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year.
Through working to become more conscious of our environment, I came across GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard. You may have already heard about it but what is it? How does it benefit conscious consumers?
GOTS was founded by two textile industry organizations in 2006, one US, the other from Germany, and two soil organizations, one in the UK the other in Japan. Together they hold extensive experience in promoting “organic” and all had developed individual processing standards for organic textiles. Their goal was to agree on one common standard, which means they can export with one organic certification that is accepted in all major markets.
The aim of GOTS is to attain the golden seal of approval for sustainably processed fabric made with organic fibers, typically cotton. Buying fashion with the GOTS certification means you’re wearing clothing that has undergone stringent examination by global-standard.org. To meet certification:
• Clothing is made from 70% or more organically farmed fibres.
• Only low impact chemicals are permitted to protect consumer health as well as the environment.
• Manufacturers have met water and energy consumption targets and procedures.
• Garment factory workers’ rights are upheld by the ley safety norms and values of the International Labour Organization.
GOTS prohibits the use of the kinds of chemicals commonly used in textile processing that can cause cancer, birth defects, and other serious illnesses. Improvements in manufacture and supply chains mean GOTS certified clothing is usually far superior to their counterparts, but it isn’t intended to be a mark of luxury or quality.
GOT is a reassuring way for fashion conscious consumers to identify sustainable and ethical clothing.
For my past View articles, visit the CHCA website.
• Sources: GOTS website, GOTS Certification-Guide to Organic Clothing, Ultimate Guide to GOTS Certification and Sustainable Textiles
Please note that the content provided is for informational purposes.
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