Certifications are one of the fastest ways for buyers to filter out unreliable manufacturers, but GOTS and OEKO-TEX get confused constantly. They're not interchangeable — they certify different things.
What GOTS Certifies
The Global Organic Textile Standard verifies that a garment's fibre content is organically grown and that the entire supply chain — from raw fibre to finished product — meets environmental and social criteria, including wastewater treatment and fair labour practices. GOTS is about how the product was made, from farm to factory.
What OEKO-TEX Certifies
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished textile for harmful substances — checking that dyes, chemicals, and finishes fall within safe limits for skin contact. OEKO-TEX is about what's in the final product, regardless of how the raw fibre was farmed.
Can a Product Have Both?
Yes, and premium brands often seek both: GOTS for supply chain and environmental credibility, OEKO-TEX for consumer-facing chemical safety assurance. A garment can be OEKO-TEX certified without being organic, and technically a fabric can be organic (GOTS) without being separately OEKO-TEX tested — though most GOTS mills also meet OEKO-TEX's chemical thresholds.
Which One Does Your Brand Need?
- Choose GOTS if your brand markets itself as organic, eco-conscious, or sustainability-first, and your customers care about the full supply chain story. - Choose OEKO-TEX if your priority is proving product safety — especially relevant for baby and kids' clothing, activewear, and anything marketed on skin-safety. - Choose both if you're building a premium, sustainability-forward brand for EU or UK retail, where buyers increasingly expect both.
Verifying Certification Claims
Always request the current certificate number and verify it directly against the GOTS or OEKO-TEX public database — expired or misused certificates are more common than buyers realize.
OSD Apparels works only with GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified mills across our supplier network, with certificates available on request for every order.
Need certified fabric for your next collection? Get a Quote specifying your required certification.