New high: 10,388 GOTS certified facilities in 2020, an increase of 34% with more than 3 million workers in 72 countries. In 2020, the number of GOTS certified facilities grew by 34% globally, to a new high of 10,388 from 7,765 in 2019.

16 GOTS Approved Certification Bodies report that over 3 million people in over 72 countries were working in GOTS certified facilities.

Updated Guidelines for GOTS Virtual Audits

GOTS recognises the challenges faced by companies, to keep operations running while staying credible with on-site in-person audits, with travel restrictions remaining in place. Therefore, GOTS released updated guidelines for virtual audits, which allows a second consecutive virtual audit for certain entities under strict conditions.

→ The latest version of the guidelines.

Global ISO IWA 32:2019 Proficiency Test Initiative

In 2019, Global Organic Textile Standard, the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) and Textile Exchange partnered to develop the ISO IWA 32:2019 protocol to create a common language among laboratories worldwide to screen for the potential presence of GM cotton. Qualitative GM cotton screening as per the ISO IWA 32:2019 is mandatory within GOTS. Together with OCA and Textile Exchange we have now reached a significant milestone. Fourteen laboratories from China, Germany, India, the Netherlands and Portugal successfully passed the proficiency test for qualitative GM cotton screening according to the ISO IWA 32:2019.

→ More information and an overview of the laboratories that can currently conduct GMO testing in cottonseed, leaf, fibre and chemically unprocessed fibre-derived materials as per the protocol.

Results GOTS Impact Survey

To gather insights on the impact, the pandemic had on GOTS Certified Entities, a survey was shared with all entities globally. We received 796 responses, the results show:

60% changed the focus of their sustainability policy due to Covid-19 to environment and health.
40% underwent virtual audits in 2020, whereof 95% were satisfied with the audit.
83% reported an increase in their business activities after becoming GOTS certified.
75% of Certified Entities, said that they followed mandatory protocols to protect their staff.
50% carried out rotational work of staff while 43% said to have used online platforms to work from home.
55% expressed a reduction in their production capacities due to reduced orders.
42% acknowledged an increase in lead time and disruption of the supply chain.
40% asserted to have managed to keep their team focussed and motivated.

New GOTS Representative in Japan

In January 2021, Fiona Matsumoto was appointed as the new GOTS Representative in Japan. In her new position, she takes over the role of Satoko Miyoshi. Fiona graduated from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute in Fashion Management with a BSc in Fashion & Textile Technology. Her academic education includes a specialisation in Sustainable Production Management and Sourcing. Prior to her new role, Fiona joined GOTS as an assistant to Satoko Miyoshi, after which she completed a Market Development Project with a focus on the Japanese market.

→ Fiona is based in Tokyo and can be contacted via .

GOTS Organic in Conversion Labelling: Quick Facts and Brand Experience

GOTS receives a lot of questions on "organic in conversion" as slowly, demand is starting to increase. We provide quick facts on this topic, see Organic Fibres in GOTS on our website.

Further, a company testimonial shares why they support and offer GOTS organic in conversion labelled products. Read about their experience on our website!

→ For any related questions or comments, contact Lina Pfeifer at

USDA Ending Organic Recognition Agreement with India

GOTS requires the IFOAM Family of Standards on a farm level, which include state-owned standards managed by national legislation. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ended its Organic Recognition Agreement with India. The agreement authorized Indian certifying agents to certify organic farms and processing facilities to National Organic Program (NOP) standards for export to the USA. The USDA has given an 18-month transition period for exporters in India to get certified by an NOP certifier to prevent any trade disruptions.

→ For more information, see Organic Trade Association´s Press Release.

Organic Trade Center Study shows Environmental Benefits of Organic Cotton

A study by the Iowa State University conducted jointly with the Organic Center suggests measurable benefits of organic cotton production. The findings of the study emphasise the role of organic cotton as opposed to 'conventional cotton' when it comes to climate change mitigation, and the benefits of organic cotton to water and biodiversity. It highlights the beneficial practices used in organic cotton, from building soil health on the farm to using non-toxic methods of textile processing.

→ The full report

GOTS Material for You

→ GOTS Compare From Field to Fashion Flyer
→ GOTS and the UN SDGs Flyer
→ GOTS Are You Allowed to Label Flyer
→ GOTS Fact Sheets
→ GOTS Simple Show Clip in different languages
→ GOTS 'Faces From Field to Fashion' Clip

Visit our Resource Library to discover even more material!

Meet GOTS

17-18 March 2021, International Cotton Conference Bremen: Lina Pfeifer, Organic Production, will attend the international conference with the theme "Passion for Cotton!" organized by the Bremen Cotton Exchange and Fibre Institute Bremen.
For more information, please contact Lina Pfeifer.

17-19 March 2021, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Spring Edition: GOTS Greater Representative Felicia Shi will host the GOTS booth and give a speech about 'GOTS as a Tool to Drive Sustainable Transformation in textiles in a Comprehensive Way - From Field to Fashion.' The session takes place 15:05-15:35 pm (CST),18 March 2021 in 5.1-B15 Forum Space. You are welcome to meet GOTS at booth No: 5.1-C11.
For more information, please contact Felicia Shi.

19 May 2021, WEAR webinar session: GOTS Representative Lori Wyman will be participating in a panel discussion on 'Material Innovation and Fibre Sustainability' as a part of Fashion Takes Action's monthly WEAR webinar series. Visit wear.fashiontakesaction to check out upcoming events and recordings of past sessions, and be sure to check back again in May to register.
For more information, please contact Lori Wyman.

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GOTS News - March 2021

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GOTS Certifications in 2020 Reach Five Figures for the First Time