GOTS certified facilities see 8% rise in 2023

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) achieved impressive milestones in 2023. The number of certified facilities worldwide jumped 8 per cent to 14,676, with Türkiye ranking third globally in approved businesses (1700, up 3 per cent).

GOTS also released version 7.0 of its standard, offering a more comprehensive solution for organic textile producers. This new version emphasizes environmental and human rights compliance throughout the supply chain. Additionally, a six-step due diligence process equips businesses to identify and address potential issues.

GOTS partnered on two innovative projects in India, the world's leading producer of organic cotton. One project focused on ensuring traceability between farms and ginning units. Another, a world-first, involved using ESA satellite data and AI to monitor cotton cultivation and estimate organic cotton yields. This project has the potential to identify fields suitable for transitioning to organic production.

Consumer education remained a priority for GOTS. Their #Behindtheseams campaign, launched in November, reached over 21 million people globally. The campaign highlighted GOTS-certified companies and products, empowering consumers to make informed choices.

In summary, 2023 was a year of significant growth and innovation for GOTS. The organization expanded its reach, strengthened its standards, and explored new technologies to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the organic textile industry.