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ORGANIC: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GOTS CERTIFIED

ORIGINALLY POSTED: 8 June 2022

Organic Muslin Swaddles - Earthly

As parents, it’s natural to be cautious about what we put on our babies. After all, babies and newborns are known for sensitive skin. That’s why many are extra cautious with the soaps, lotions, wipes, and diapers they choose for their little ones. But what about the fabric of the clothes?

There are more options on the market for baby clothes than ever before–muslin, cotton, organic cotton, jersey knit, and fleece to name a few. While determining the best fabric for your little one can be tricky, one of the main things to consider is whether or not the clothing manufacturer is GOTS certified.

Keep reading to learn about what GOTS certified organic cotton fabric is, how it differs from regular organic cotton, and where to find GOTS certified baby products.

What is GOTS certified?

You might’ve seen “GOTS certified” on labels or in advertising before, but what does it really mean? GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. Many consumers think the label simply means that clothes are made from organic fiber. While it does mean that, a GOTS certification actually involves quite a bit more.

It refers to the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers. GOTS was developed to help globally define the requirements for organic textiles. This includes ecological and social criteria with verification of the entire textile supply chain. GOTS means that no matter where a fabric is exported to or imported from, it will meet this same standard of being environmentally and socially responsible. Parents are then making a good choice for their baby and the planet by choosing GOTS certified clothes.

What is the difference between GOTS certified and organic?

For a fiber to be considered organic, it must be grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs). For example, organic cotton is made from natural seeds without the use of any harmful chemicals. However, that does not guarantee the cotton will be handled organically through all phases of production–spinning to dying to printing.

With a GOTS certification, there is full traceability throughout the entire process, not just one part. In fact, to earn a GOTS certification requires a certain level of working conditions as well. Throughout the entire supply chain, workers must be paid fair wages for a normal amount of hours, and manufacturers must abide by all child labor laws while maining a safe work enviroment.

Why GOTS certified fabrics are best for babies?

The level of transparency with GOTS makes buying for babies better for two main reasons. First, there’s a comfort for parents in knowing that no matter where they are located in the world or where they are buying from, GOTS certified products meet a specific, high quality universal standard.

In addition, it allows parents the opportunity to support a green supply chain–making a better choice for their little one and the planet.

Where to find GOTS certified baby products?

While it is not yet the norm, it is becoming more and more common for manufacturers to earn a GOTS certification. At aden + anais, we’ve worked hard to earn our GOTS certificate by ensuring that every step from farming to dying fabric meets these environmental and social standards. This includes our dying and printing mills which also use organic dye.

Here are some of our top-rated products that follow GOTS certification standards:

Now that you know what it means for a product to be GOTS certified, you can make better choices for your family and for the entire planet.