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Why choose a GOTS certified product?

by Chia Wollschlager

Global Organic Textile Standard or GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibers and must meet environmental and social standards. Chia's Silver Lining only wants the best product ingredients to support healing through comfort, compassion, and community. You may have never heard of the Global Organic Textile Standard, but to be GOTS Certified a company must meet the following criteria: 

Environmental Criteria for GOTS 

 

  • At all stages through the processing organic fiber products must be separated from conventional fiber products and must to be clearly identified
  • All chemical inputs (e.g. dyes, auxiliaries and process chemicals) must be evaluated and meeting basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability
  • Prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their enzymes
  • The use of synthetic sizing agents is restricted; knitting and weaving oils must not contain heavy metals
  • Bleaches must be based on oxygen (no chlorine bleaching)
  • Azo dyes that release carcinogenic amine compounds are prohibited
  • Discharge printing methods using aromatic solvents and plastisol printing methods using phthalates and PVC are prohibited
  • Restrictions for accessories (e.g. no PVC, nickel or chrome permitted)

All operators must have an environmental policy including target goals and procedures to minimize waste and discharges.

 

  • Wet processing units must keep full records of the use of chemicals, energy, water consumption and waste water treatment, including the disposal of sludge. The waste water from all wet processing units must be treated in a functional waste water treatment plant.
  • Packaging material must not contain PVC. Paper or cardboard used in packaging material, hang tags, swing tags etc. must be recycled or certified according to FSC or PEFC

Social Criteria

Social criteria based on the key norms of the International Labor Organization (ILO) must be met by all processors and manufacturers. They must have a social compliance management with defined elements in place to ensure that the social criteria can be met. For adequate implementation and assessment of the following social criteria topics the listed applicable key conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) have to be taken as the relevant basis for interpretation.

Employment is freely chosen

  • C29 - Forced Labor Convention
  • C105 - Abolition of Forced Labor Convention

Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected

  • C87 - Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention
  • C98 - Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention
  • C135 - Workers' Representatives Convention
  • C154 - Collective Bargaining Convention

Working conditions are safe and hygienic

  • C155 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention

Child labor must not be used

  • C138 - Minimum Age Convention
  • C182 - Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention

Living wages

  • C95 - Protection of Wages Convention
  • C131 - Minimum Wage Fixing Convention

Working hours are not excessive

  • C1 - Hours of Work (Industry) Convention
  • C14 - Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention
  • C30 - Hours of Work (Commerce and Offices) Convention
  • C106 - Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention

No discrimination is practiced

  • C100 - Equal Remuneration Convention
  • C111 - Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention

Regular employment is provided

  • C158: Termination of Employment Convention
  • C175: Part-time Work Convention
  • C177: Homework Convention
  • C181 Private Employment Agencies Convention

Harsh or inhumane treatment is prohibited

  • C29 - Forced Labor Convention
  • C105 - Abolition of Forced Labor Convention

If you would like to learn more about this Global Standard, visit https://www.global-standard.org/ or Chia's Silver Lining Product Mission.

Also, check out our GOTS certified products.

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