Key takeaways
- OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is about harmful substances; GOTS is about organic fibre and processing. They answer different questions.
- Check every OEKO-TEX label number in the OEKO-TEX Label Check, and check that the product class fits the use.
- A GOTS claim on a shipment needs a transaction certificate for that shipment, not just the supplier's scope certificate.
- Common problems are expired certificates, certificates held by a different company, and products outside the certified scope.
- An inspection compares labels, hangtags and quantities with the certificates; lab tests are separate.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: what it certifies
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is a voluntary label for textiles tested for harmful substances. OEKO-TEX says every component of a certified article, down to threads, buttons and accessories, is tested against its list of more than 1,000 harmful substances. Limit values are reviewed at least once a year. A certificate is issued for one year.
The standard is modular. A finished article does not need separate testing if all of its components already hold STANDARD 100 certificates. The requirements get stricter as skin contact increases:
| Product class | Covers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Articles for babies and children up to 3 years; strictest limits | Baby bedding, nappies |
| Class 2 | Articles with direct skin contact | Bed linen, towels |
| Class 3 | Articles without direct skin contact | Jackets |
| Class 4 | Home textiles and decoration materials | Curtains |
The class matters. A certificate in class 4 does not support a claim on bed linen sold for direct skin contact. STANDARD 100 is not a legal certificate of compliance with EU REACH or US rules, although OEKO-TEX states that its criteria take those rules into account. See azo dyes and restricted substances for the legal limits.
GOTS: organic fibre, processing and transaction certificates
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) covers textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres, through every processing and manufacturing stage to the finished product. It sets environmental criteria, restrictions on chemical inputs such as dyes and auxiliaries, and social criteria. Every company in the chain must be certified by an Approved Certification Body.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Label grade “Organic” (or “Organic in-conversion”) | At least 95% certified fibre content, excluding accessories |
| Label grade “Made with (x%) organic materials” | At least 70% certified fibre content, excluding accessories |
| Mandatory label elements | GOTS logo, label grade, reference to the certification body, certification number of the certified entity |
| Scope certificate | Issued to each certified entity; lists permitted processes, products and facilities |
| Transaction certificate (TC) | Issued by the approved certifier when GOTS goods move along the chain; lists product and shipment details and supports volume reconciliation |
| Records | Buyers of GOTS goods keep scope certificates, TCs, invoices and delivery notes; audit records are kept at least five years |
GOTS Version 8.0 was released in March 2026 and 8.1, with minor corrections, on 22 June 2026. Both take effect for all certified entities on 1 March 2027; until then the transition period applies.
India's place in GOTS and OEKO-TEX supply chains
India has the largest base of GOTS-certified facilities. In its 2025 annual report, Global Standard counted about 17,800 certified facilities in 95 countries as of 1 January 2026, and showed India with 27.8% of them, ahead of China at 17.3%. Organic cotton yarn, fabric and finished home textiles from India are therefore widely offered with GOTS claims.
A large certified base also means more room for error. Buyers of Indian textiles meet these situations often:
- The certificate belongs to someone else. A spinner's or mill's GOTS certificate is shown for finished goods made by a non-certified stitching unit.
- Out of scope. The factory is certified, but the product or process (for example printing) is not on its scope certificate.
- No TC. GOTS goods are shipped without a transaction certificate for that consignment, or the TC quantity is smaller than the shipment.
- Expired or withdrawn. The OEKO-TEX certificate has passed its one-year term, or appears on the list of withdrawn certificates.
- Wrong class. An OEKO-TEX certificate in a lower-requirement class is used for products with closer skin contact.
How buyers check a claim
| Step | OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 | GOTS |
|---|---|---|
| Find the number | Label number on the label or certificate (case sensitive) | Certification (licence) number on the label and scope certificate |
| Check validity | OEKO-TEX Label Check; list of withdrawn certificates and labels | GOTS certified suppliers database, then the scope certificate itself; confirm with the certifier if in doubt |
| Check scope | Article description and product class on the certificate | Products, processes and facilities on the scope certificate |
| Check the shipment | Certificate holder is the supplier, or components are certified | A TC from the approved certifier for this consignment, matching product and weight |
GOTS itself warns that a database entry is not definitive proof of certified status. The scope certificate and, for each shipment, the TC are the documents that count.
What an inspection can verify, and what needs a lab
| An inspector at the factory can check | Only a lab or certifier can establish |
|---|---|
| Labels and hangtags carry the right logo, label number or licence number, and the right GOTS label grade | Whether an article meets OEKO-TEX limit values |
| The certificate is in the name of the factory or its declared suppliers, and covers the product | Fibre composition and blend percentages |
| Fabric, trims and colours in production match the certified articles | Whether a TC is genuine (the certifier issues and confirms it) |
| Quantities packed are consistent with the TC or the purchase records the factory shows | Whether organic fibre content claims are true at farm and gin level |
How Clear To Load checks this in India
On a home textiles inspection in India, the inspector photographs labels and hangtags on sampled units, checks the label and licence numbers against the certificates you send us, and compares product descriptions and quantities with the scope certificate and TC. Where you want a test, we pull and seal samples for an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab of your choice through lab testing coordination.
The report ends in a verdict: Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared. An inspection does not certify a product under OEKO-TEX or GOTS; only their certification bodies do. To add these checks, book an inspection.