The textile industry has long been in the spotlight due to its controversial environmental and social practices. In particular, conventional cotton farming, which is widespread throughout the world, is criticized for its excessive water consumption and massive use of pesticides. In the face of these growing concerns, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton appears to be a promising alternative: each step of the production chain is controlled and certified, thus guaranteeing organic, ethical and sustainable cotton.
GOTS certification: what is it?
GOTS cotton is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard, which is the reference label for organic textiles. This label is the most comprehensive because it takes into account environmental, health and social aspects. GOTS-labeled textiles are subject to strict chemical standards limiting the use of substances harmful to the environment. Indeed, they must contain at least 95% certified organic fibers.
GOTS certified cotton: is it better than conventional cotton?
GOTS certified organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds and relies solely on environmentally friendly farming methods.
In contrast, conventional cotton cultivation is extremely polluting. It is estimated that 17% of greenhouse gases produced each year come from conventional cotton production.
The latter produces methane and nitrous oxide, two of the most toxic gases and classified as highly dangerous by the WHO, contributing to the warming of our planet. The problem? Conventional cotton now represents 25% of global textile production!
So, yes, GOTS certified cotton is much better than conventional cotton from an environmental point of view, but also for health because the chemicals used to produce conventional cotton can cause skin irritations and other allergic reactions due to endocrine disruptors.
GOTS cotton, an ethical dimension
Another important benefit of GOTS cotton production is that it involves ethical labor practices. Approved companies are regularly audited to ensure that wages and working hours are decent, that they do not use child labor, that the working environment is healthy, and that there is no use of forced labor.
GOTS cotton, a sustainable choice
Organic cotton growing methods use much less water than conventional cotton. To give you an example, an organic cotton t-shirt (including those labeled GOTS) requires around 1000 liters of water to be produced compared to 2700 liters for a traditional cotton t-shirt.
Organic soils are much richer in organic matter and the natural fertilizers used keep the soil healthy. Thus, they retain water and humidity more easily in the earth. We then need to use less of it to produce.
The dyeing and printing processes in organic cotton cultivation are also more environmentally friendly. Water-based dyeing is most commonly used, which significantly reduces the release of chemicals into the environment.
Traceability: the path of GOTS cotton, from harvest to finished product
Choosing GOTS certified cotton clothing allows you to benefit from traceability, from the cotton harvest to the weaving and the finished product. This traceability offers you total transparency regarding the origin of the materials and manufacturing processes.
Quality textiles
In addition to their environmental benefits, GOTS certified clothing is also of better quality. Indeed, it is significantly softer to the touch and has the advantage of being hypoallergenic (which does not cause allergies) because it is free of chemical residues. In addition, GOTS certified organic cotton is made of particularly strong fibers, which guarantees that you can keep your clothes for longer than others that have been made with conventional cotton for example.
How do I know if a product is GOTS certified?
Do you want to move towards more responsible fashion and buy clothes made from GOTS cotton?
So how can you tell if a garment is GOTS certified? It’s simple: through the label! The GOTS certification is always indicated on the label, allowing you to make informed choices.
Be aware that textiles may have different names such as: GOTS Certified, Certified Gots, Organic or Biological depending on the origin of the garment. In all cases, the presence of one of these terms indicates that the product is indeed GOTS certified.
We can therefore say that organic cotton cultivation is undeniably the most ecological, the most ethical and the one that allows us to have the most resistant clothes over time. This is why the demand for GOTS cotton products has continued to increase in recent years.
At TALC™, we invite you to discover our clothing made from GOTS organic cotton, organic cotton and long-fiber Supima for the well-being of your skin and our planet. With us, you will find fair prices that respect farmers and manufacturers, opening the doors to sustainable fashion.
Discover our other t-shirt models:
- in Supima cotton: Rimbo khaki T-shirt
- in Tencel / organic cotton blend: Black Muse T-shirt
