When you pick up your favourite organic cotton shirt or a cosy sustainable knitwear piece, you probably don’t think about the incredible work that goes into ensuring it’s truly made socially responsibly and eco-friendly. Behind that small GOTS tag on the product is a massive effort to make textiles better for people and the planet. It means that products with the GOTS label are not only eco-friendly but also made under ethical working conditions.
Audits are an essential part of this process. Independent and qualified auditors visit factories and supply chain facilities to verify compliance with GOTS criteria. They check everything from the sourcing of organic fibres and the use of safe chemicals to fair treatment of workers and proper waste management. These thorough audits ensure transparency and prevent “greenwashing,” so consumers can trust that GOTS-certified products genuinely align with their own values of sustainability and ethics.
Now we are happy to be taking this commitment further and announce the release of a key document: the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors.
What Is the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors?
This handbook is a guide for auditors at certified facilities who ensure that GOTS-certified companies meet the highest human rights and environmental responsibility standards.
It doesn’t replace existing rules; instead, it adds new tools and step-by-step guidance to strengthen, enhance, and improve the auditing process worldwide.
Governments across the globe are increasing their expectations of businesses to act responsibly. New laws in several EU states, Norway, and Canada, to name a few, require companies to prove they’re protecting human rights and the environment throughout their supply chains.
The GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors aligns with these legislations, ensuring that GOTS-certified companies not only meet the bare minimum but also set an example for the entire textile industry.
A Collaborative Effort
In creating this Handbook, Global Standard worked with UpRights, a non-profit organisation from the Netherlands that aims to ensure the respect of human rights and international law, empower victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Furthermore, auditors, human rights experts, and industry leaders from around the world were involved in the process. The collaboration means the Handbook isn’t just theoretical – it’s practical and addresses real-world challenges faced by factories and businesses in diverse regions.
How It Helps You, as a Consumers?
The Handbook ensures that GOTS certification remains trustworthy. When you see that GOTS label, you can feel confident that:
- The people who made your clothes were treated with respect and can work in proper labour conditions.
- The materials were sourced responsibly, with care for the planet.
- The company behind the product has been thoroughly checked and meets the highest human rights, social and environmental standards.
For end-consumers, this is another reason to feel confident about choosing GOTS-certified products. It’s a way to vote with your choices for a better textile processing industry. Together, we can weave a future where fashion truly makes a difference!
Check out the press releasere here, or directly access the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors.
