5,760 certified facilities, increase of 14.6%, with more than 2 million workers reported in 2018
In 2018, the number of GOTS certified facilities showed an increase of 14,6% from 5,024 to 5,760 facilities. Certified facilities are now located in 64 countries around the globe. GOTS certification covers the processing of certified organic fibres along the entire supply chain from field to finished product.
The progress is seen in both production and consuming regions. Countries and regions with the largest growth in percentage in 2018 in GOTS certification are: Bangladesh (+29%), North America (+25%), Pakistan (+23%) and South Korea (+23%). In terms of total numbers, the highest increase is reported from India (+315), followed by Bangladesh (+155) and Europe (+98). The 18 GOTS Approved Certification Bodies reported more than 2.02 million people working in GOTS certified facilities.
“The increasing number of certified facilities aligns with the common desire to solve sustainability related problems. It confirms that GOTS is seen as part of the solution. Company leaders use GOTS as risk management tool and as market opportunity. Consumers value the verifiable certification from field to finished product.” said GOTS Managing Director Claudia Kersten at the GOTS Annual Meeting in Izmir, Turkey.
The number of chemicals in the Positive List shows an increase of 13% to 20,231 from 778 suppliers. The GOTS Positive List contains tradenames of approved chemicals that must be used by all textile processors for processing of GOTS goods.
“Bangladesh continued its second position and registered a growth of 29 percent in terms of GOTS certified facilities. We shall be organizing GOTS Bangladesh Seminar 2019 on 8th September in Dhaka and look forward to hosting all local stakeholders there”, said Sumit Gupta, GOTS Representative in India & Bangladesh. “Besides a thriving export market, India has an emerging domestic market for organic textiles. Several new brands have started offering GOTS goods in domestic sector during year 2018 and two major brands are planning to do so this year”, continues Mr. Gupta.
