GOTS vs. OekoTex Certificates: What’s the Difference?
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When buying new sheets and pillows, knowing what certifications they have and what they mean is important. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OekoTex certification are two of the most popular options.
Both certificates serve as an assurance that the bedding materials will be free from harmful chemicals and produced in a socially responsible way. However, there are some key differences between them and today we’ll take a closer look at them to help you choose the right bedding for your home.
What Is GOTS Certification?
The Global Organic Textile Standard is an international certification for organic fibers, including cotton, wool, flax/linen, silk, and hemp. In order for bedding to receive GOTS certification, it must meet certain criteria in four main categories:
- Environmental: Bed linens must be made with at least 95% organic fibers, and any remaining materials must come from an approved list of non-organic items.
- Social: Organic bed sheets and duvets that are GOTS-certified must also adhere to certain social criteria, including fair wages and working conditions for the people involved in producing them.
- Traceability/labeling requirements: GOTS certification requires products to be labeled with the GOTS logo and a list of all the materials used in production.
- Technical quality requirements: Bed linens with GOTS certification must meet certain technical quality requirements, including strength, colorfastness, and shrinkage.
The GOTS label is a guarantee that the material used in your bedding is made from certified organic fibers and produced without any harsh chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. It also means that all stages of production have met ethical standards, including labor rights and animal welfare when appropriate.
They test facilities and products from the cultivation stage to the final product to ensure that they are safe for consumers and produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
Read More: Best GOTS-Certified Duvet Inserts
OekoTex Certification
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification focuses on testing finished textile products for harmful substances such as allergens, pesticides, heavy metals, flame retardants, and formaldehyde.
While this certification does not guarantee any specific material content or production practices as GOTS does, it provides consumers with peace of mind knowing that their sheets are free from potentially hazardous substances. OekoTex offers different types of certifications and levels, but the most common is Standard 100, which tests for over 100 substances linked to health risks. Other certifications include:
- Standard 1000 tests for a wider range of chemicals.
- OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN verifies a product’s sustainable production.
- OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD tests for chemical pollutants in leather products.
- OEKO-TEX® STeP evaluates the environmental impacts of production, such as energy consumption, water usage, and air emissions.
- OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT tests for chemicals in raw materials, dyes, and auxiliary agents.
- OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS evaluates a company’s corporate social responsibility practices.
Read More: Best Organic Bed Pillows
What´s the Difference between Oeko-Tex and GOTS-certified Bedding?
- Oeko-Tex-certified bedding is available in a wide range of materials, including cotton, wool, and synthetic fabrics, while GOTS-certified bedding is typically made from organic cotton, hemp, or wool.
- Oeko-Tex-certified bedding is typically more affordable than GOTS-certified bedding because of the more stringent requirements for organic production. Also, the Oeko-Tex certificate can be given to synthetic and non-organic natural materials, usually cheaper than organic wool or cotton.
- GOTS-certified bedding is often seen as being of higher quality than Oeko-Tex-certified bedding because the fibers used have been grown and processed with more stringent standards, making them stronger and more durable.
- GOTS certificate is concerned with how materials are grown, harvested, and made into a product, while Oeko-Tex is concerned with the safety of the finished product, including the accessories and components that are used, including bottoms and zippers.
- Both Oeko-Tex and GOTS certification are voluntary programs that are not required by law, but they are widely accepted as industry standards and provide assurance that bedding materials meet certain quality standards.
Conclusion
When shopping for new sheets and duvets with either GOTS or OekoTex certifications, you can rest assured knowing that you are getting high-quality materials that were produced safely and ethically according to strict standards.
While both labels provide reassurance about the product’s safety, understanding the differences between these certifications can help you make more informed decisions about which products best fit your needs.
So if you’re looking for organic cotton, wool or hemp bedding made following ethical labor practices, then GOTS is your best choice. However, if you’re more concerned with potentially toxic chemicals, such as AZO dyes or toxic glues, then OekoTex might be better a better choice for you.
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