Introduction: Understanding OEKO-TEX vs GRS vs GOTS (Simple Guide)
With sustainability and transparency now essential in fashion and textiles, certifications like OEKO-TEX, GRS, and GOTS are more prominent than ever. Whether you’re an apparel buyer, sourcing manager, or an emerging brand, knowing the difference between these certifications is fundamental. This simple guide breaks down what each standard means, what they’re best for, and what paperwork you genuinely need.
Summary Table: OEKO-TEX vs GRS vs GOTS at a Glance
| Aspect | OEKO-TEX | GRS | GOTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Product safety (chemicals) | Recycled content + traceability | Organic integrity + safety |
| Product Scope | All textiles, trims | Recycled textiles | Organic fiber textiles |
| Key Requirement | Chemical testing | Recycled input & chain of custody | Organic input, entire supply chain |
| Main Document | Standard 100 certificate | Transaction Certificate (TC) | Transaction Certificate (TC) |
What Is OEKO-TEX Certification?
OEKO-TEX certification is an internationally recognized label focused on the chemical safety of textiles and materials. The most common version, Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, indicates the fabric or accessory is free from harmful levels of hundreds of regulated substances. OEKO-TEX looks at the end product: it doesn’t care how the material was sourced or if it’s organic or recycled, only if it’s safe for human contact.
Key Points of OEKO-TEX
- Tests for banned and regulated substances (AZO dyes, heavy metals, formaldehyde, etc.)
- Does not guarantee organic or recycled content
- Valid for one year — products must be retested regularly
- Can be applied to fabrics, yarn, trims, prints, accessories, and finished garments
What Is GRS Certification?
GRS (Global Recycled Standard) is a holistic certification ensuring both recycled content and social/environmental responsibility throughout the supply chain. The GRS logo on a t-shirt or yarn confirms that at least 20% of the fiber is recycled (often much more) and that each step, from recycling plant to garment sewing, has passed strict audits.
Key Points of GRS
- Requires Chain of Custody: every step certified, never broken
- Tightly controls blending and handling to prevent contamination
- Includes chemical restrictions and social compliance (worker rights, safety)
- Transaction Certificates (TCs) are the official proof required by brands and retailers
What Is GOTS Certification?
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the strictest global organic standard for textiles. GOTS ensures that cotton or other fibers are truly organic from field to finished product and meets high standards for environmental impact, chemical restrictions, and worker welfare. Acceptance is very high among premium retailers and conscious consumers.
Key Points of GOTS
- Everything from spinning to packing must be certified — full traceability
- Prohibits toxic chemicals, dyes, and finishes
- Social criteria prevent child labor and guarantee worker rights
- Final product must be at least 70% organic fiber (“organic” label = min 95%)
The Main Differences: OEKO-TEX vs GRS vs GOTS
It’s easy to get lost in all the badges on fabric swatches. Here’s how these three stand apart:
- OEKO-TEX: Checks for restricted chemicals/compliance in finished textiles. Doesn’t track organic or recycled content.
- GRS: Tracks and confirms the recycled content, plus strict supply chain audits and toxic chemical limits.
- GOTS: Tracks and confirms certified organic content and full supply chain transparency, with rigorous chemical and social benchmarks.
Which Products Are Each Certification Best For?
Choose according to your material and marketing goals:
- OEKO-TEX: All conventional textiles, trims, kids apparel, accessories—where consumer chemical safety is the main need.
- GRS: Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and blends for sportswear, fashion basics, sustainable labels.
- GOTS: Organic cotton t-shirts, babywear, underwear, home textiles—essential for brands promising organic.
Document Requirements: What You Need From the Supplier
Here’s where most confusion arises. Simply asking “are your fabrics certified?” isn’t enough. The right paperwork varies:
- OEKO-TEX: Ask for the original Standard 100 certificate (scan, with product scope, supplier name, expiry date), and check that your fabric AND color are included.
- GRS: Always request a Transaction Certificate (TC) made out for your bulk order and supplier. A generic certificate is NOT valid proof for your product.
- GOTS: You also need a Transaction Certificate (TC), batch-specific, verifying organic content from farm to finished product.
For a deeper dive into verification, see How Brands Verify Sustainability Claims: 13 Essential Steps for Honest Evidence & Zero Greenwashing.
Common Misconceptions About Textile Certifications
- Having “OEKO-TEX fabric” does NOT mean your finished garment is automatically certified.
- GRS and GOTS both require all steps (spinning, knitting, dyeing, sewing) to be certified — break the chain, lose the label.
- A certificate valid for one batch or one color/fiber doesn’t apply to others.
When to Specify OEKO-TEX, GRS, or GOTS
Choose OEKO-TEX if your priority is chemical safety, particularly for baby, kids, or close-to-skin textiles—and you’re not making recycled or organic claims.
Go with GRS for products focused on recycling stories and the circular economy. Make sure your supplier can provide Transaction Certificates per shipment.
Pick GOTS if your brand is built on organic integrity and responsible supply chains. Never settle for just a fabric roll’s certificate—always require supply chain-wide documentation.
Compliance Pitfalls: What Can Go Wrong?
- Bulk orders with mismatched or expired certificates
- Certificates covering different fibers, not what you actually ordered
- Incomplete transaction certificates
- Suppliers using “certified” in marketing with no supporting paperwork
How Certification Impacts Labeling, Marketing, and Buyer Confidence
If you’re planning to label a product as OEKO-TEX, GRS, or GOTS certified, your certificates must directly correspond to that lot. Brands get into trouble when they market as compliant without keeping batch-by-batch paperwork. Apparel companies can avoid greenwashing accusations and regulatory issues by demanding proper certification for all purchase orders. For deeper insights on labeling essentials, refer to Garment Labeling Requirements: The 12 Essential Elements You Can’t Miss.
Ninghow Factory Perspective: Navigating Certifications in Production
From the view of a garment manufacturer, certifications require more than paperwork – they impact order flow, sourcing, and even timelines. At Ninghow, we find that the challenge isn’t only sourcing compliant fabric, but maintaining the traceability chain during busy periods. Especially with GRS or GOTS, a single undocumented process (like a last-minute switch in finishers) risks certification loss. Brands should build extra lead time for transaction certificate processing, especially for new suppliers.
Integrating Certification Checks Into Your Quality Control Workflow
Make document checks a core part of your pre-shipment quality control, alongside color, fit, and AQL checks. Don’t let certificates be an afterthought. Always confirm certificate validity, matching lot/batch numbers, and verify scope before arranging delivery. To strengthen your QC, see The Ultimate QC Reporting Template: 9 Fields Factories Must Share for Zero Surprises.
OEKO-TEX vs GRS vs GOTS (Simple Guide)
The right certification depends on your brand story, material choice, and legal requirements. For the safest route, be clear on which certificate your market or clients demand. Insist on the right paperwork, and understand its scope and limits. When in doubt, ask for the Transaction Certificate—it’s often the gold standard for both GRS and GOTS claims.
Conclusion: Staying Ahead With the Right Certification Choices
OEKO-TEX, GRS, and GOTS are not interchangeable—they solve different problems and require distinct proofs. The wrong document can hurt your supply chain and brand image. Make certifications part of your workflow, not an after-sales scramble. By understanding each standard, its best fit, and documentation, you’ll secure a smoother path to compliance and truthful marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one fabric be OEKO-TEX, GRS, and GOTS certified at the same time?
Yes, but it’s rare. Each certification has unique criteria. For example, an organic cotton fabric can be GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified together. Recycled polyester could carry both GRS and OEKO-TEX. Triple certification happens if all requirements are met, but not every mill or factory invests in all three.
Is a Certificate of Analysis the same as an OEKO-TEX certificate?
No. A Certificate of Analysis usually just covers lab results for one batch or specific chemical tests. OEKO-TEX certificates confirm compliance with a global banned substance list and audit processes—accepted as proof by brands and regulators.
What is a Transaction Certificate (TC) and why is it important?
A Transaction Certificate is a shipment-specific document for GRS or GOTS goods, issued by an independent certifier. It confirms the certified status of the fibers and ensures no mixing with non-compliant material in the chain.
Can I just get a digital copy of a certificate from my supplier?
Yes, most certificates are provided as scans or PDFs. What’s important is that the data matches your product, supplier, and that it hasn’t expired. Always double-check with the issuer if in doubt.
Are these certifications required by law?
Generally, no—most are voluntary or client-driven. However, laws against mislabelling or greenwashing are getting stricter, and many retailers now demand certification as a standard.
How long does it take to get GRS or GOTS certification for a new product?
If your supply chain is already certified, getting a Transaction Certificate is fast (1–2 weeks). For a new process or supplier, audits and documentation can take 1–3 months before the first certified batch is ready.
Related Reading
- Your Easy Guide to Choosing Sustainable Apparel Fabrics
- The Full Apparel Compliance Checklist: Stay Legally Safe from Fabric to Labels
- 13 Rules That Make Apparel Packaging Fully Compliant for 2026
- How to Test Fabric Shrinkage & Colorfastness for Certified Quality
- Prevent Delays: What All Buyers Must Clarify in Weekly Production Updates
