GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and the Organic Trade Board (OTB) have announced a new partnership aimed at increasing awareness of the GOTS mark – and the amount of organic textile products certified to GOTS in the UK.
GOTS is the leading global textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria – backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. The aim of the standard is to define world-wide recognized requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.
Due to a move away from EU funding, the OTB is now able to include brands, as well as non-food sectors such as textiles and health and beauty, in its campaigns which has opened up the possibility of the partnership.
The partnership will involve teaming up on communication, marketing, support, events and campaigns raising awareness of the benefits of organic textiles.
Christopher Stopes, GOTS UK representative, said: “This partnership will open up a wealth of support and content to our operators and will allow two organisations with the same vision to pool resource, share best practice and strengthen our mutual offering.”
Cristina Dimetto, general manager of the OTB, said: “For the first time in OTB history, we have been able to talk about brands and include non-food products with the 2020 marketing campaign. Our ambition is to make organic a lifestyle, not just a purchase. The partnership with GOTS reinforces the OTB commitment to bring the whole organic industry together, and to grow awareness and sales for organic in all its sectors. We are really looking forward to working with GOTS and to welcoming new members from the organic textile industry. Working together as a unified industry towards the same goal will make our future campaigns even stronger.”
“The partnership with GOTS reinforces the OTB commitment to bring the whole organic industry together, and to grow awareness and sales for organic in all its sectors”
Commenting on the new partnership, Susie Hewson, founder & CEO of GOTS certified personal care brand Natracare, said: “We’re so thrilled to hear the latest partnership with the Global Organic Textile Standard and the UK Organic Trade Board – it’s a brilliant step in the right direction for the non-food personal care industry. Organic textiles with a GOT standard not only has a positive impact on the environment, but also the health of those harvesting it and the end user. It’s imperative we work to ensure organic becomes the standard for all textiles because it reduces exposure to nasty chemicals, dyes and pesticides used in conventional textiles. As a company that prides itself on being certified to GOTS and a member of the OTB, this partnership will help our unified goal of raising awareness of the benefits of organic textiles to customers.”
Main image: Workers in a GOTS certified facility in India/© Global Organic Textile Standard
