Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS. In 2002, the International Working Group (IWG), comprised of four reputable standard organizations, established the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) at the Intercot Conference in Düsseldorf, Germany. The GOTS certification system was launched four years later and is now recognized worldwide as the leading processing standard for organic fiber textiles. The GOTS Technical Committee certifies and labels products according to both social criteria (based on the International Labour Organisation's standards) and stringent environmental criteria that take into account the entire textile supply. GOTS also aims to provide textile processors and manufacturers with one organic textile certification that is accepted and recognized in all major markets.

GOTS certifies products such as clothes, fiber products, yarns, and home textiles, but currently excludes leather items. The standard is based on many detailed criteria that regulate the entire production process, including manufacturing, processing, packaging, labeling, trading and distribution of textiles. All textiles must be made from at least 70 percent certified organic natural fibers to achieve a "made with organic" GOTS label, while 95 percent certified organic natural fibers is required for an "organic" label.