Read: 67
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. If your business handles, processes, or trades organic textile products, understanding the GOTS certification process is the first step toward accessing brands and retailers that require verified organic supply chains. This guide walks through each stage of the process using the requirements set out in GOTS Version 8.0, the edition released in 2026 and effective from 1 March 2027.
What the GOTS Certification Process Covers
GOTS certification is required for all stages of textile manufacturing, from the acceptance of raw organic fibres through processing and trading of GOTS goods. Certification is conducted by a GOTS Approved Certification Body and follows an annual on-site inspection cycle, which may include additional unannounced inspections based on a risk assessment of the operation.
The outcome of a successful certification is a GOTS Scope Certificate (SC), which confirms that the facility can comply with the relevant GOTS criteria. As GOTS goods move along the supply chain, Transaction Certificates (TCs) are issued for individual shipments to maintain traceability and transparency.
How to Get GOTS Certified: 7 Steps
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Determine Your Scope
GOTS covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading, and distribution of textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. Identify which GOTS Scope applies to your operation: Scope 1 (mechanical processing and manufacturing), Scope 2 (wet processing and finishing), Scope 3 (trading), or Scope 4 (approval of colourants and textile auxiliaries). Most facilities will need one or more of Scopes 1 to 3.
Step 2: Choose a GOTS Approved Certification Body
Only certification bodies authorised by Global Standard gGmbH may issue GOTS certificates. Approved Certifiers are authorised for specific scopes based on their accreditation. Contact one or more Approved Certifiers to discuss your scope, obtain a quotation, and agree on an audit schedule. (GOTS does not publish a fixed certification fee; the audit fee is quoted per project by the certification body.)
Step 3: Prepare Documentation and Internal Systems
Before the audit, prepare the evidence the certifier will review. This includes organic fibre Scope Certificates from your suppliers, documented internal quality assurance and traceability systems, records covering received and shipped goods, and a chemical input list verified against the GOTS Positive List. GOTS requires that audit-relevant records be kept for at least five years.
Step 4: Undergo the On-Site Audit
An Approved Certifier conducts the on-site inspection against the GOTS criteria. The audit examines fibre content, processing and chemical management, environmental and social performance, and chain-of-custody documentation. For the first certification, the audit establishes your baseline compliance; thereafter, the annual inspection cycle maintains it.
Step 5: Address Corrective Actions
If the audit identifies non-conformities, the certification body will require corrective actions within a defined timeframe. Resolving these promptly is necessary before a positive certification decision can be made. Minor findings may be closed out with evidence; more significant gaps may require a follow-up verification.
Step 6: Receive Your Scope Certificate
Once you have demonstrated the ability to comply with the relevant GOTS criteria, the Approved Certifier issues your GOTS Scope Certificate. The certificate lists the product categories, product details, and processing categories you are qualified to perform. Your facility is then considered a Certified Entity and may use GOTS Signs in line with the Conditions for the Use of GOTS Signs.
Step 7: Maintain Certification and Issue Transaction Certificates
Certification is ongoing. For every shipment of GOTS goods moving along the supply chain, a Transaction Certificate must be issued by your Approved Certifier after due verification. You must also pass the annual surveillance inspection and renew within the certification cycle. GOTS is revised every three years, with a one-year transition period to meet a new version's full criteria.
Understanding the Four GOTS Scopes
| Scope | Covers |
|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Mechanical textile processing and manufacturing operations and their products, plus approval of accessories. |
| Scope 2 | Wet processing and finishing operations and their products. |
| Scope 3 | Trading operations and related products. |
| Scope 4 | Approval of colourants and textile auxiliaries listed on the GOTS Positive Lists. |
Documents to Prepare Before the Audit
Organic fibre certificates from suppliers, confirming the raw fibres are certified to an IFOAM-family standard (such as EU 2018/848, USDA NOP, NPOP, or China GB/T 19630).
Scope and Transaction Certificates for any GOTS goods you purchase from upstream suppliers.
Traceability and internal quality assurance records covering the origin, flow, and quantities of materials, plus processing steps and chemical recipes.
Chemical input lists verified against the GOTS Positive List for processing aids and colourants.
Social and environmental evidence supporting the GOTS due diligence, human rights, and environmental criteria.
Timeline and Ongoing Maintenance
GOTS does not specify a single fixed duration from application to certificate; the timeline depends on the certification body, the scope and complexity of your operation, and how prepared your documentation is. Because the standard mandates an annual on-site inspection cycle, certification is best understood as a continuous compliance programme rather than a one-time approval. Small-scale operations in low-risk countries may benefit from the Controlled Supply Chain Certification Scheme (CSCS), which customises the process to reduce burden while preserving the criteria.
Each new version of GOTS is published with a one-year transition period. For Version 8.0, released in 2026, all audits and assessments conducted on or after 1 March 2027 shall follow the new edition. Planning your certification timeline around these version milestones helps avoid last-minute gaps.
FAQ: GOTS Certification Process Questions
Q: How long does the GOTS certification process take?
A: GOTS does not define a fixed total duration from application to Scope Certificate. The timeline depends on the certification body, the scope and complexity of your operation, and how prepared your documentation and systems are. The standard mandates an annual on-site inspection cycle, so certification is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Your chosen Approved Certifier can give you a realistic schedule after reviewing your scope.
Q: Who can issue a GOTS Scope Certificate?
A: Only a GOTS Approved Certification Body may issue a Scope Certificate. Approved Certifiers are authorised by Global Standard gGmbH based on their accreditation under the Approval Procedure and Requirements for Certification Bodies. IOAS Inc. is the main cooperation partner supporting this accreditation process, though accreditation by other recognised Accreditation Bodies is also accepted.
Q: What are the four GOTS certification Scopes?
A: GOTS defines four scopes: Scope 1 covers mechanical textile processing and manufacturing operations and their products, plus approval of accessories; Scope 2 covers wet processing and finishing operations and their products; Scope 3 covers trading operations and related products; and Scope 4 covers approval of colourants and textile auxiliaries on the GOTS Positive Lists.
Q: Is GOTS certification required at every stage of the supply chain?
A: Yes. GOTS certification is required for all stages of textile manufacturing, from acceptance of raw organic fibres through processing and trading of GOTS goods. Each facility that performs a certifiable activity must hold a valid Scope Certificate, and subcontractors involved in processing GOTS goods must be listed on the certificate.
Q: What documents do I need to prepare for a GOTS audit?
A: You should prepare organic fibre Scope Certificates from your suppliers, documented internal quality assurance and traceability systems, records of received and shipped goods, chemical input lists verified against the GOTS Positive List, and evidence of social and environmental criteria compliance. Audit-relevant records must be kept for at least five years.
Q: What is the difference between a Scope Certificate and a Transaction Certificate?
A: A Scope Certificate confirms that a facility is able to comply with GOTS and lists the product and processing categories it is qualified to offer. A Transaction Certificate is issued for a specific shipment of GOTS goods as they move along the certified supply chain, enabling traceability and transparency between trading partners.
Q: Does GOTS publish a fixed certification fee?
A: No. GOTS, administered by Global Standard gGmbH, does not publish a single fixed certification fee. The audit fee is quoted by your chosen Approved Certification Body based on your scope, site count, and risk profile. Separately, GOTS defines conditions and fees for the use of GOTS Signs (logo and label) in the Conditions for the Use of GOTS Signs.
Conclusion
The GOTS certification process follows a clear, repeatable path: confirm your scope, select an Approved Certification Body, prepare your documentation, pass the on-site audit, and earn your Scope Certificate. Because certification runs on an annual inspection cycle with Transaction Certificates tracking each shipment, the real work is building systems that keep you compliant year after year. With Version 8.0 taking effect from 1 March 2027, now is the right time to align your operation and start the process.
If you need help mapping your supply chain to the correct GOTS scope or preparing for the audit, our team can support you from gap analysis to certificate. Contact us for a consultation.
References
Global Standard gGmbH. (2026). Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 8.0. https://global-standard.org/
Global Standard gGmbH. (2026). Manual for the Implementation of GOTS. https://global-standard.org/
Global Standard gGmbH. (2026). Conditions for the Use of GOTS Signs. https://global-standard.org/
Tag
