GOTS Version 3.0
The International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard released the currently valid GOTS Version 3.0 on the 1st of March 2011.
The new version is a result of a stakeholder input process in which various organizations with expertise in organic production, textile processing and social criteria participated. It follows the overall approach of GOTS to define high level verifiable environmental criteria throughout the entire processing chain of apparel and home textiles (including spinning, knitting, weaving, wet processing, manufacturing, and trading) made from a minimum of 70% certified organic fibers and requiring social minimum criteria while still providing for a practical set of requirements that is technically achievable even in large scale industrial textile production and for mass market brands and retailers in order to achieve a considerable environmental and social impact in the textile industry.
All GOTS certified companies must fully comply with Version 3.0 by 1st of March 2012. They receive all required information through their applicable certification body.
GOTS Version 3.0 is now available for download in PDF format:
GOTS Version 3.0 (PDF, 230 KB)
Relevant changes from Version 2.0 to Version 3.0
The below document provides for a short summary of the relevant changes made to the content / meaning / interpretation of the criteria in GOTS Version 3.0 and the corresponding Manual compare to the previous GOTS Version 2.0 and the previous Manual (issue of 1st Dec 2008). The changes are ordered chronologically by chapter.
The list cannot be used as a fully comprehensive and complete list of all changes but as a supportive working document only. Decisive is only the final wording in the new GOTS Version 3.0 and the Manual (issue of 1st March 2011). The Manual is posted in the corresponding section Manual for the Implementation.
List of Relevant Changes (PDF, 77 KB)
Revision Process for GOTS Version 3.0
The revision process for GOTS Version 3.0 and the accompanying Manual for Implementation officially started with the meetings of the Technical Committee and the Certifiers Council during Biofach, Nuremberg in February 2010.
Beside the IWG members and the GOTS approved certifiers also 15 international stakeholder organisations have been invited to participate in the revision process. Other parties interested to contribute were requested to channel their comments through one of the participating organisations (IWG member, certifier or stakeholder).
End of June 2010 the GOTS Technical Director introduced to the approved certifiers and the invited stakeholders (with background in organic production, textile processing, textile chemistry and social criteria) a first revision draft based on various suggested revisions collected since the release of Version 2.0. Comments and proposals to (change) this draft were collected via a blog open to the members of the Technical Committee, Approved Certifiers and the invited stakeholder organisations during a 60 day period until August 26th 2010.
In this very productive first stakeholder input period 182 contributions from 15 different organizations (including 7 of the invited stakeholders) have been received. The Technical Committee has thoroughly evaluated all contributions and comments provided and has also involved external experts were felt necessary in the decision making process for the 2nd Draft of GOTS and the related Manual.
The second revision draft documents have been made available again to the group of Approved Certifiers and stakeholders together with a comprehensive overview of all contributions received in the initial input period and with the corresponding final observations of the Technical Committee. This second and final stakeholder input period opened on 21st December 2010 for another 30 days.
Thereafter the Technical Committee prepared the resulting final revision draft which was approved by the International Working Group during its annual meeting at Biofach Germany on 18th February 2011. Finally GOTS Version 3.0 was released 1st March 2011.