Guide to Certificates in the Textile Industry

OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, GRS, and Other Textile Certifications Explained for Buyers and Manufacturers

In the textile industry, another criterion has become as crucial as a product's price, quality, minimum order quantity, or lead time: certifications.

Particularly in international trade, buyers no longer solely ask, "Can you manufacture this product?" The source of the raw material used, the environmental impact of the production process, the safety of the product regarding harmful substances, the verifiability of recycled content, and whether the manufacturing facility meets specific social or environmental criteria are also carrying increasingly greater weight in purchasing decisions.

However, the presence of numerous different certifications, standards, and auditing systems within the textile sector can occasionally prove confusing.

So, what is the difference between OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, GRS, RCS, or Better Cotton? Under what circumstances should a buyer request which certificate? Does a manufacturer possessing a specific certification mean that all products they manufacture are automatically certified?

In this guide, we examine some of the frequently encountered certifications and standards in the textile sector more closely.

Why Are Certifications Important in Textiles?

Certifications assist in verifying specific product, production, or raw material claims within the textile supply chain in accordance with established criteria.

However, not all certifications demonstrate the same parameters.

Some focus directly on the composition of the product or its safety regarding human health, while others evaluate the origin of the raw material or its traceability throughout the supply chain. Some standards, meanwhile, do not cover the product directly, but rather the quality or environmental management system of the manufacturing company.

Therefore, when evaluating a certification, rather than merely looking at its logo, the following question must primarily be asked:

What exactly does this document verify?

For instance, a manufacturer possessing an ISO standard regarding environmental management can provide information on how the company manages specific processes. However, this situation does not indicate that every fabric they manufacture consists of organic or recycled content.

Similarly, a certification for recycled content alone does not signify that the product has been tested for harmful substances.

This distinction is highly critical, particularly when selecting a new supplier.

On digital B2B platforms as well, it is becoming increasingly valuable for buyers to be able to look at a company's production capabilities, certifications, and corporate information collectively when evaluating manufacturers, rather than just product and price information. Texylon aims to enable textile manufacturers to present this information more visibly and to allow buyers to evaluate potential suppliers more easily.

1. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is an international textile product safety standard indicating that textile products have been tested for substances that may be harmful to human health.

This certificate demonstrates that products such as yarn, fabric, ready-to-wear garments, home textiles, and textile accessories have been tested for specific harmful substances and meet the relevant criteria.

It is frequently requested by buyers, particularly in the following product groups:

• Apparel and ready-to-wear

• Underwear

• Baby and children's products

• Home textiles

• Textile products in direct contact with skin

What Does It Signify for Companies?

A textile company possessing the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification indicates that the products within the company's scope have been tested according to OEKO-TEX® criteria and comply with the established harmful substance limits.

Therefore, the certification can be utilized as an important reference in terms of product safety and compliance, particularly in trade conducted with international buyers. Many brands, retailers, and purchasing departments may request this document from their suppliers.

However, there is an important distinction:

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 does not, on its own, indicate that the product is organic, contains recycled materials, or is sustainably manufactured. Its primary objective is to evaluate the safety of textile products regarding harmful substances.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is one of the most frequently encountered certificates in the textile sector.

2. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard

When organic textiles are mentioned, one of the most well-known standards is the GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard.

GOTS does not solely focus on the organic origin of the raw material used. It offers a broader structure that also covers specific environmental and social criteria regarding the processing of organic fiber and different stages of the textile supply chain.  Consequently, it frequently appears particularly in product groups with organic content such as:

• Yarn,

• Fabric,

• Ready-to-wear,

• Home textiles

If a buyer truly wishes to source organic textile products, rather than relying solely on the manufacturer's statement of "we use organic cotton," they must verify whether the relevant product and the production chain are within the scope of the requested certification.

This is because utilizing organic raw materials and certifying a finished product under a specific organic textile standard are not the same thing.

3. GRS – Global Recycled Standard

With the increasing use of recycled polyester, cotton, and other raw materials in the textile sector, the GRS – Global Recycled Standard has also become one of the prominent standards.

GRS focuses on the verification of recycled content and the traceability of the material throughout the supply chain. In addition, it covers specific social, environmental, and chemical requirements. For instance, when a manufacturer states:

“This fabric contains recycled polyester.”

it is important that this claim does not remain merely a marketing statement.

Systems like GRS assist in establishing claims regarding recycled content on a more traceable and verifiable foundation. Particularly for brands developing sustainable collections, this type of traceability can be a major purchasing criterion.

4. RCS – Recycled Claim Standard

RCS – Recycled Claim Standard is also one of the standards focusing on the verification of recycled materials and their tracking throughout the supply chain.

However, RCS and GRS are not identical in scope.

The primary focus of RCS is the verification of recycled content and its tracking throughout the chain. GRS, on the other hand, contains more comprehensive criteria regarding social, environmental, and chemical requirements in addition to this. Therefore, it is incorrect to evaluate the two standards as direct alternatives to one another. What is important for the buyer is to determine which standard is appropriate for their own product, brand, and sourcing policy.

5. Better Cotton

Better Cotton is a global system aimed at making cotton production more sustainable and supporting cotton growers in producing in accordance with specific sustainability criteria.

The system focuses on issues such as reducing water and chemical use in cotton production, protecting soil health, supporting biodiversity, and improving the working conditions of growers.

What Does It Signify for Companies?

A textile company sourcing within the scope of the Better Cotton system indicates that the company is capable of working with cotton produced in compliance with Better Cotton criteria or sourced through the system.

This situation can constitute a significant sourcing advantage, particularly for brands, retailers, and international purchasing departments that prioritize sustainability criteria.

Why Is It Important for the Buyer?

For a buyer, Better Cotton information can carry significance particularly in terms of sustainable cotton sourcing, brand sustainability goals, and the traceability of the supply chain.

Therefore, when evaluating a supplier's relationship with Better Cotton, one must look not only at the question "Do they have Better Cotton?" but also at the company's role within the system and how the product they supply is presented within the scope of Better Cotton.

6. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

Two standards frequently encountered in the company profiles of textile manufacturers are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. ISO 9001 focuses on the quality management systems of companies. It establishes a framework for matters such as process planning, quality management, customer expectations, and continuous improvement. ISO 14001, on the other hand, relates to the environmental management system. It offers a structure for companies to systematically evaluate and manage their environmental impacts.

However, ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 is not a product certification.

A textile manufacturer possessing these standards indicates that the company implements specific management systems. However, on its own, it does not prove that a specific fabric is organic, recycled, or tested for harmful substances.

7. Social Compliance and SMETA

In international textile sourcing, the issues evaluated by buyers are not limited to product content or quality. Large brands and retailers, in particular, may require their suppliers to meet specific criteria regarding working conditions, occupational health and safety, ethical practices, and social compliance.

At this juncture, it is possible to encounter social audit methodologies such as SMETA. This type of assessment helps examine the social and ethical practices of manufacturing facilities in line with specific criteria.

Consequently, when selecting a reliable textile supplier, not only the question of "what product do they manufacture?" but also "how do they manufacture?" gains importance.  Certifications are only one of the criteria to be evaluated when selecting a reliable supplier. For other important criteria such as production capacity, quality standards, delivery time, company history, and communication capability, you can browse our “How to Find a Textile Supplier? 10 Criteria for Selecting a Reliable Manufacturer” guide.

How Should a Supplier's Certification Be Verified?

Seeing a certification logo on a supplier's website or company profile is not sufficient on its own.

It is beneficial for buyers to verify the following information as much as possible:

• On whose behalf (company or manufacturing facility) the certification is issued,

• The certification number,

• The validity period,

• Which products or activities are included within the scope,

• Whether the document is up to date,

• Whether the product to be ordered actually falls within the scope of the certification.

There is another particularly important point:

A manufacturer possessing a specific certification does not mean that every product sold by that manufacturer automatically possesses the same certification.

The scope may vary depending on the manufacturing facility, product category, raw material, or processing stage.

Therefore, it is important to verify the relevant certification specifically for the ordered product during the purchasing process.

Should Certification Requirements Be Specified during the RFQ Stage?

If the buyer has a specific certification requirement, rather than leaving it to the final stage of the order, it is more appropriate to state it as early as possible.

For instance, if a brand is looking for:

• GOTS-certified organic cotton,

• Recycled polyester within the scope of GRS,

• OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100-compliant product

clearly sharing these conditions during the initial negotiations with the supplier facilitates the process.  Thereby, the manufacturer can evaluate from the very beginning both whether they can provide the desired product and whether the relevant certification scope is suitable.

Sharing technical specifications, quantities, delivery terms, and certification requirements clearly during the RFQ stage can significantly facilitate communication between the buyer and the manufacturer.

Which Certification Should Be Looked For, For Which Product?

There is no single "best textile certification." The correct standard varies according to the product to be purchased and the expectations of the buyer. For instance:

Organic textile products: GOTS
Recycled content: GRS or RCS
Testing for harmful substances: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
Quality management system: ISO 9001
Environmental management system: ISO 14001
Social compliance assessments: Systems such as SMETA

Therefore, certifications are often not alternatives to one another. On the contrary, they are tools that evaluate different aspects of the textile supply chain. A manufacturer may possess multiple certifications or standards, and each of these can provide information regarding a different attribute of the company.

Why Are Certifications Important in Expanding into New Markets?

In international markets, the expectations of clients can differ from one another. While price or MOQ may be a priority for some buyers, certain brands may view specific certifications as mandatory criteria as early as the supplier evaluation stage.

Therefore, manufacturers presenting their current certifications correctly can provide a significant advantage not only regarding existing clients but also when reaching new buyers.

When a manufacturer can clearly demonstrate what they can produce, which markets they serve, and which standards they possess, it also becomes easier for potential buyers to evaluate the company.

Presenting certification and company information correctly is important, particularly in terms of increasing visibility in new markets and establishing trust when reaching potential buyers.

Is Certification Sufficient on Its Own to Select a Supplier?

No. Certifications are an important evaluation criterion, but they are not sufficient on their own when selecting the right supplier. Buyers must also evaluate factors such as:

Production capacity, Product expertise, Minimum order quantity, Price, Lead time, Quality control processes, Export experience, Location, and Communication capability collectively.

For instance, the MOQ of a manufacturer that possesses technically correct certifications might be too high for your project. Or, the manufacturer might lack sufficient production experience in the product group you require.

Particularly in searches for new suppliers, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) must be evaluated from the very beginning just as much as certifications. MOQ can directly affect both pricing and whether the manufacturer is genuinely suitable for the project.

A More Transparent Textile Supply Chain

In international textile trade, price and production capacity remain critical criteria. However, today, buyers evaluate many different factors collectively, such as certifications, MOQ, production capability, raw materials utilized, company information, and supply terms, when assessing potential suppliers.

Therefore, manufacturers sharing their current certifications correctly, and buyers being able to compare manufacturers suitable for their needs more easily, assists in establishing more reliable business connections.

Texylon aims to bring together buyers, manufacturers, and suppliers in the textile industry within a single B2B network, making companies' products, production capabilities, certifications, and corporate information more visible.

Thus, buyers can not only search for products but also evaluate potential suppliers across different criteria; manufacturers, on the other hand, can demonstrate their capabilities more transparently to international buyers.

Because finding the right supplier is no longer merely about finding the lowest price.

It is about matching the right product with the right manufacturer and under the right criteria.

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