GOTS cracking down on fraud at fiber gins with stiff new requirements

November 02, 2022

Category: FIBRES

Country: India

Introduces a compulsory farm-gin registry

Home Textiles Today Staff November 1, 2022

Stuttgart, Germany – India will be the first country required to comply with stiffer scrutiny as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) moves to better ensure transparent and traceable processing for organic textiles.

The voluntary global standard today announced more stringent requirements for GOTS-certified gins, adding to the numerous checks and balances which are already performed throughout every processing stage.

There are three key changes:
1. GOTS is introducing a compulsory farm-gin registry for all farms and farm groups whose certified raw material enters the GOTS system, including information on farm yields. The registry will be implemented progressively, starting in India. The country was the subject of a New York Times expose about organic cotton that questioned the credibility of inspection agencies in the country.
2. Raw cotton is not allowed to travel more than 500 km from the farm to the certified gin. The shorter trade chain is meant to protect vulnerable points and optimizes the process for buyers.
3. GOTS will increase the number of unannounced audits at gins where there is a high perception of risk.

GOTS also stipulates that the Farm TC number appears on the first GOTS TC at the ginning plant, which is the first step for cotton in the GOTS supply chain. The TC must state the origin for raw material, including region, state and province. This effectively traces material back to the field and adds another layer of accountability to GOTS-certified fiber, the organization said.

“GOTS has always been a dynamic Standard, developing and expanding to be stronger and more effective all the time. We are looking forward to these new rules further strengthening GOTS against potential fraud,” said GOTS managing director Rahul Bhajekar.

Courtesy: https://hfd.bridgetowermedia.com/acton/ct/41765/s-23d0-2211/Bct/q-005e/l-0019:91ab0/ct7_1/1/lu?sid=TV2%3ApMDMSX8lx