GOTS and OEKO-TEX answer two different questions. GOTS asks: How was this product made? OEKO-TEX asks: Does the finished product contain harmful residues? Anyone who wants organic fibers and fair working conditions needs GOTS. Anyone who wants to know whether a garment is low in harmful substances will find the answer with OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
For most purchasing decisions, this simple rule applies:
- Skin contact, allergies, baby textiles: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is sufficient as a safety check.
- Organic fibers + social standards: Only GOTS certifies both throughout the entire supply chain.
- Both labels combined: Possible and often the strongest statement, because they complement each other in content.
- No label replaces the other: OEKO-TEX says nothing about cultivation or working conditions; GOTS says nothing about pollutant limits in the final product.
Key Findings
GOTS and OEKO-TEX answer different questions: GOTS certifies organic fibers and fair production throughout the supply chain, while OEKO-TEX tests for pollutant residues in the finished product.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| GOTS: Scope and focus | Raw fiber to finished product, organic fibers (min. 95% / 70%), social standards according to ILO |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Pollutant testing of the final product, four product classes, strictest requirements for baby textiles |
| Combination makes sense | Both labels together offer the strongest evidence of organic quality and pollutant safety |
| Verify labels | Check the certificate number in the public GOTS register or OEKO-TEX database |
| Beachbodyz | Offers streetwear made from organic cotton, fairly produced in the EU |
Table of Contents
- What do OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and MADE IN GREEN cover?
- What exactly does GOTS require, and how is the label structured?
- GOTS vs. OEKO-TEX: Direct comparison and typical purchasing situations
- Which label should you buy? Concrete tips for everyday life
- What are the limitations of both labels?
- How to check a label in a few steps
- How sustainable brands should display GOTS on product pages
- When does the combination of both labels make sense?
- Beachbodyz: Streetwear with traceable origin
- Sources
- FAQ
What do OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and MADE IN GREEN cover?
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished textile for defined limits for a variety of pollutants: pesticide residues, heavy metals, formaldehyde, allergenic dyes, and other parameters. The final product is tested in the laboratory, not the production process beforehand.
The system works with four product classes. Class I applies to items with direct skin contact for infants and children under three years. Here, the limits are strictest. Class II includes textiles with direct skin contact for adults, Class III those without direct skin contact, Class IV home textiles. Anyone who buys a Class I product thus receives the strictest pollutant check of the system.
What OEKO-TEX Standard 100 does not cover:
- Cultivation conditions of the raw fibers (conventional or organic)
- Social standards in production
- Use of chemicals during processing (only residues in the final product)
- Supply chain transparency
MADE IN GREEN is an additional label from OEKO-TEX. It confirms that the product has been tested according to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and was manufactured in tested production facilities. Buyers can use an ID number printed on the label to trace which countries and facilities the product originated from. This is a real gain in transparency compared to Standard 100 alone, but not evidence of organic fibers or ILO-compliant working conditions.
For buyers, this means: OEKO-TEX is a reliable safety check, not comprehensive evidence of sustainability.
What exactly does GOTS require, and how is the label structured?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. The standard is backed by the non-profit Global Standard gGmbH, founded in 2002. The standard covers the entire chain: from raw fiber production through spinning, weaving, dyeing, and garment manufacturing to the finished product.
Minimum proportions of certified organic natural fibers:
The GOTS manual defines two labeling levels:
At least 95% certified organic natural fibers for the "organic" label. At least 70% for the "made with organic" label.
The current version 8.0 (in effect since March 2026) tightens due diligence and circularity requirements compared to previous versions.
What GOTS checks along the supply chain:
- Approved and prohibited chemicals in processing (positive list of approved substances, ban on problematic substances)
- Wastewater requirements for processing facilities
- Social criteria according to ILO core standards: freedom of association, prohibition of child labor, safe working conditions
- Labeling requirements: certifier, certificate number, percentage of organic fibers
GOTS completely prohibits certain problematic substances in production and works with positive lists of approved chemicals. OEKO-TEX, on the other hand, measures residue limits in the finished product. This is a fundamental difference: GOTS intervenes earlier in the chain.
A GOTS label on the product is the visible result of a seamless certification chain. Every facility in the supply chain must be individually certified. This makes GOTS more complex and expensive than OEKO-TEX, but also more meaningful for buyers who want to prove organic quality and social standards.
GOTS vs. OEKO-TEX: Direct comparison and typical purchasing situations
| Dimension | GOTS | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Raw fiber to finished product | Finished final product |
| Main focus | Organic fibers, production chemicals, social standards | Pollutant residues in the final product |
| What is tested | Positive list of chemicals, ILO social audit, wastewater | Limits for pesticides, heavy metals, dyes, etc. |
| Minimum requirement | 95% organic fibers (organic) / 70% (made with organic) | Product class dependent, no fiber requirement |
| Audit/Tester | Independent accredited certifiers, annually | Accredited laboratories, product testing |
| Consumer promise | Organic quality + fair production proven | Tested low in pollutants |
| Verifiability | Public Certified-Suppliers-Register | Label ID on product, OEKO-TEX database |
Typical purchasing situations:
- Baby bodysuit: OEKO-TEX Class I is mandatory as a minimum standard; GOTS is additionally recommended if organic cotton is desired.
- Bedding: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is sufficient for the pollutant check; anyone who wants to be sure that the cotton was grown organically needs GOTS.
- Organic cotton streetwear T-shirt: GOTS is the relevant certification. OEKO-TEX alone does not prove that the cotton is organic.
- Cheap mass-market goods: Often only OEKO-TEX or no label at all. This does not automatically mean unsafe, but no evidence of organic fibers or fair labor.
Both labels can be combined. A product with GOTS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 offers the strongest evidence: organic fibers, fair production, and tested pollutant safety in the final product.
Which label should you buy? Concrete tips for everyday life
The simplest decision rule: If it is about pollutant safety, OEKO-TEX is sufficient. If it is about organic fibers and fair labor, GOTS is necessary. Both together is possible and particularly meaningful for sensitive skin or baby products.
Shopping checklist:
- Read the material specification: Which fibers, what percentage?
- Check the percentage for GOTS: "organic" or "made with organic"?
- Note the label ID or certificate number
- Identify the certifier on the label
- Check care instructions for durability (quality signal)
For the price-performance assessment: GOTS certifications are more complex for manufacturers than OEKO-TEX tests. This is reflected in the price. Anyone exclusively seeking pollutant safety pays less with OEKO-TEX. Anyone who wants organic fibers and social standards must factor in the extra cost for GOTS. This extra cost is well justified for products with direct skin contact or for children.
Pro tip: Ask the retailer for the full certificate number, not just the logo. A genuine GOTS certificate number can be checked in seconds in the public Certified-Suppliers-Register of GOTS. If the number is missing, the label is not verifiable.
For sustainable streetwear made from organic cotton, the following applies: GOTS is the relevant standard because it includes cultivation and processing, not just the final product.
What are the limitations of both labels?
No certification system is seamless. Anyone who knows both labels also recognizes their weaknesses.
Limitations of GOTS:
- Audit dependence: The quality of the audit depends on the accredited certifier. Annual audits can leave gaps between audit cycles.
- Supply chain transparency: GOTS certifies every facility individually, but the chain can be complex. Not every stage is directly visible to consumers.
- Costs for producers: Certification is expensive. Small businesses in developing countries sometimes have difficulty meeting the requirements. This can limit the supply.
Limitations of OEKO-TEX:
- No evidence of cultivation or raw material origin
- No statement about working conditions in production
- Residue limits in the final product say nothing about which chemicals were used during processing
Typical consumer pitfalls:
- Logo without clear text: A label sticker without a certificate number is not verifiable.
- Unclear percentage specifications: "Organic cotton" without GOTS labeling and percentage specification is not a reliable statement.
- Missing certifier information: Without the name of the certifier, authenticity cannot be checked.
Test labels do not replace complete material information. For product-critical decisions, such as for newborns or people with contact allergies, one should actively use certificate numbers and official registers, not just trust the logo.
How to check a label in a few steps
Step by step:
- Read the label on the product: Which label is shown? Is a certificate number or label ID provided?
- Note the certificate number. For GOTS, it consists of an alphanumeric combination that clearly identifies the certified facility.
- Access the GOTS register: global-standard.org/certifiedsuppliers. There, the facility can be searched by name, country, or certificate number.
- Check the OEKO-TEX certificate: On oeko-tex.com, there is a search function for test certificates. The label ID on the product leads directly to the certificate with product class and validity date.
- In case of uncertainty: Ask the retailer for a copy of the certificate. Reputable providers make this available upon request.
What makes a GOTS certificate number recognizable:
- It is printed on the label, not just the logo
- It contains the name of the accredited certifier
- It can be looked up in the public register
What to do if information is missing:
- If the number is missing, the label is not verifiable. This is a clear warning signal.
- For online shops: Check the product description for a certificate number, do not just look at logo graphics.
- In case of doubt: Ask the manufacturer directly. Anyone who is GOTS-certified can state the number immediately.
The official primary sources are global-standard.org for GOTS and oeko-tex.com for OEKO-TEX.
How sustainable brands should display GOTS on product pages
Good product pages show more than a logo. They state the GOTS certificate number, the material proportion in percentage (e.g.).
What should make product pages seem suspicious: missing percentage specifications, no certifier mentioned, no link to a register, vague formulations like "sustainably produced" without evidence.
Pro tip: Look for detailed material breakdowns on product pages: fiber composition in percentage, country of origin of the raw fiber, and country of processing. This information is standard for genuine GOTS products. If it is missing, it is worth asking the provider. A look at the clothing of Beachbodyz shows what transparent product presentation can look like.
When does the combination of both labels make sense?
For most sustainably purchasing consumers, GOTS is the first choice if organic fibers and fair labor are both important. OEKO-TEX remains a quick, reliable pollutant check that also applies to conventionally produced textiles.
The combination of both labels is particularly meaningful for baby textiles, bedding, and products with permanent skin contact. GOTS certifies the production chain, OEKO-TEX confirms the pollutant safety of the finished piece. Anyone who can only choose one should prioritize GOTS for organic requirements. For pure safety interest, OEKO-TEX is sufficient.
One point that many buyers underestimate: GOTS can be stricter in production chemistry than OEKO-TEX because GOTS completely prohibits certain substances in processing, while OEKO-TEX measures residues in the final product. A product can be OEKO-TEX compliant and still have been processed with problematic chemicals, as long as the residues are below the limits.
Beachbodyz: Streetwear with traceable origin
If you're looking for streetwear, Beachbodyz offers organic cotton products that are fairly produced in the EU. Certification can be verified upon request.
Beachbodyz combines organic cotton with oversized cuts and durable materials that can be worn for years. This is the concrete difference from fast fashion: no greenwashing, but traceable production in the EU with verifiable standards. The certificate number can be checked in the public GOTS register.
Check out the Motion Oversize top or browse the Beachbodyz shop for more pieces.
Sources
For your own research and verification:
- Global-standard
- Organic and certified materials — Lazi Academy
- Textile labels for natural materials: Standards & pollutants
- Yarn certifications | OEKO-TEX & GOTS at a glance
FAQ
What is the main difference between OEKO-TEX and GOTS?
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished product for harmful substance residues. GOTS certifies the entire supply chain from the organic raw material to the final product and includes social criteria. Both labels complement each other, but do not replace each other.
Who is behind GOTS?
GOTS is issued by the non-profit Global Standard gGmbH, founded in 2002. The organization develops and maintains the standard, operates the public certification register, and accredits independent certifiers worldwide.
Is a GOTS product always made of organic cotton?
Without this minimum share, the GOTS label may not be used.
What criticism is there of GOTS certifications?
GOTS is audit-dependent. The quality of the inspection depends on the respective certifier, and gaps can arise between the annual audits. In addition, the certification costs for small producers are high, which can limit the range. Consumers should always check the certificate numbers in the public register, not just trust the logo.
Can a product carry both GOTS and OEKO-TEX?
Yes. Both labels are not mutually exclusive. A product with both certifications offers the most comprehensive proof: organic fibers and fair production through GOTS, tested freedom from harmful substances in the final product through OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
