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Global Organic Textile Standard logo
Global Organic Textile Standard
Global · Tier 2 Trusted
Fairtrade International logo
Fairtrade International
Global · Tier 3 Specialty
EU Ecolabel (Flower) logo
EU Ecolabel (Flower)
European Union · Tier 3 Specialty
What it meansThe strictest, most widely-recognised standard for organic textiles. Covers the full supply chain from organic fibre to finished garment, with environmental AND social criteria.Certifies fair prices and conditions for producers in developing countries — not organic, not environmental. Common on coffee, cocoa, sugar, bananas, tea.The European Commission's voluntary environmental label. Covers cleaning products, paper, textiles, electronics, accommodation services. NOT an organic mark.
ScopeTextilesFoodSeveral categories
Established200219971992
InspectionAnnual on-site, IOAS-accreditedAnnual on-site by FLOCERT (independent of Fairtrade International)Annual audit by national Ecolabel competent body
Residue testingRequired for finished productsNot for organic — Fairtrade alone doesn't test residuesPer-category limits
Guarantees
  • ≥70% certified-organic natural fibre (the 'organic' grade requires ≥95%).
  • Restricted dyes, no chlorine bleach, no formaldehyde, no banned heavy metals.
  • Wastewater treatment requirements.
  • Social standards based on ILO core conventions (no child labour, no forced labour, fair wages, safe workplace).
  • Annual on-site inspection by IOAS-accredited certifier.
  • Minimum price floors for producer cooperatives.
  • Fairtrade Premium paid into community-development funds.
  • Bans on the worst forms of child and forced labour.
  • Producer organisations must be small-farmer cooperatives or hired-labour plantations meeting standards.
  • Lifecycle-based environmental criteria per product category.
  • Restrictions on hazardous chemicals.
  • Annual licence renewal with audit.
Does NOT
  • Doesn't cover non-textile components (zips, buttons, prints) beyond the chemical-restriction list.
  • Doesn't mean organic — many Fairtrade products are conventionally grown. A separate Fairtrade-Organic dual certification exists.
  • Doesn't apply to food. Doesn't mean organic.

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