GOTS certified facilities cross 5,000-mark in 2017

The number of facilities certified to Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has crossed the 5,000-mark in 2017. GOTS certified facilities increased 8.2 per cent from 4,642 in 2016 to 5,024 last year. At present, GOTS certified facilities are located in 62 countries around the world with continuous growth in both production as well as consuming regions.

Bangladesh (+40%), North America (+39%), Portugal (+39%), Europe (+29%) were the countries/regions that saw the largest increase in GOTS certification in 2017, GOTS said in a press release.

GOTS certification covers the processing of certified organic fibres along the entire supply chain from field to finished product.

“The growing number of GOTS certifications shows that GOTS is taken as a solution for managing risks, reputation and market differentiation. We are very pleased with the development in North America. It will have the same pull effect as also seen in Europe by creating increasing capacities in the producing countries,” said GOTS director Claudia Kersten at the GOTS Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

India has the largest number of GOTS certified facilities at 1,658, followed by Bangladesh (534), Germany (480), Turkey (445), Italy (307), China (292), Pakistan (194), Portugal (180), the US (99) and South Korea (69).

India has consistently maintained its position at the top since year 2008. “India is the largest exporter of organic textiles, but I shall also be focussing on domestic consumption of certified organic clothing this year,” said Sumit Gupta, GOTS representative in India & Bangladesh. Bangladesh has touched the number two spot for the first time, leaving behind Turkey and Germany. “The textile industry in the country has enhanced focus on sustainability now and more companies are able to comply with GOTS criteria for environment and social compliance.”

In 2017, the 19 GOTS accredited independent Certification Bodies reported more than 1.74 million people working in GOTS certified facilities. 

The number of chemicals on the GOTS Positive List also shows an increase of 14 per cent to more than 17,900 from 720 manufacturers. The GOTS Positive List contains tradenames of approved chemicals that must be used by all textile processors for their GOTS certified production.