The world’s leading textile processing standard for organic fibers records new all-time high figures: 18 Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Approved Certification Bodies report a total of 12,338 certified facilities (+19%) in 79 countries (+11%). The GOTS was founded 20 years ago with a vision to provide and approve a processing standard for organic fibers that are accepted in all major markets.
Among the countries with the largest increase in GOTS certified facilities in 2021 are Turkey (+61% to 1.799), Italy (+53% to 894), Germany (+19% to 817), Portugal (+35% to 608), France (+22% to 122), Denmark (+14% to 115), Switzerland (+15% to 61), Belgium (+55% to 59), Sweden (+34% to 51) and Vietnam (+264% to 51)
The results of the annual GOTS Survey among certified entities underline this. Out of 1.114 respondents (+39%), 63% indicated a permanent shift in their sustainability strategy, focusing on the environment and health of their workers and staff. Growing interest from industry, the public, and the media drove website visits up an impressive 48%. Media exposure grew by 64%, and GOTS’s social media followers jumped by 57% across several platforms.
Claudia Kersten, Managing Director at GOTS, said, “What seemed utopian to many in 2002 has become a reality in the past 20 years. We have created an organic textile standard, certified by approved certification bodies, accepted in all major markets. GOTS is a standard that gives consumers the power to choose truly organic products sourced from sustainable supply chains. Despite ongoing difficulties and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, decision-makers continue to pursue their sustainability goals and value GOTS as a tool to accomplish them”.
