G.O.T.S Certified Organic Explained
Many of us are cautious about what we put on our baby's sensitive skin from soaps and lotions to diapers and wipes. But what about baby clothes?
It's true that organic clothing for babies and children is important and can make a difference in the health of your baby. As more research has been done about conventional clothing, specifically all the chemicals, pesticides, and dyes they have in them, the facts point to the suggestion that dressing babies and young children in organic clothing might be just as important as using organic shampoo or finding an organic mattress.
What is GOTS?
You’ve seen it on brand tags, you’ve seen it in product descriptions, and odds are, you still don’t really understand why it matters. We're here to shed some light on why these four letters are so important.
It takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton shirt, according to the World Resources Institute. That doesn’t even take into account the significant amounts of chemicals, energy, and other natural resources that come into play. Then, it can take more than 200 years for the materials to decompose once they’ve been disposed of. And while that’s happening, the textiles are expelling greenhouse methane gas and toxic chemicals and dyes into our groundwater and soil.
GOTS, or the Global Organic Textile Standard, was developed by leading standard setters. It was developed to define worldwide recognized requirements for organic textiles. This means that no matter where something is exported to or imported from, it meets the same criteria of being environmentally and socially responsible.
This transparency makes buying easier in two ways. Firstly, no matter what country you’re in, if something is GOTS certified, it has met a very specific and universal standard. Secondly, it gives consumers the power to choose truly organic products that were sourced from green supply chains. Every step of the way, from harvesting raw materials to labeling the final product, GOTS certified products provide credible assurance to the consumer.
But that’s not all. GOTS certified sets requirements for working conditions, as well. This means fair living wages, no child labor, safe and hygenic environments, no excessive hours, and much more. The humane treatment we expect in a workplace is often few and far between when it comes to production in the fashion industry. Luckily, the Global Organic Textile Standard is working to make it the norm.
We believe that ethically made products are important for a number of environmental reasons. And that’s why we strive to carry exclusively GOTS certified products. We choose quality over quantity because we know how important it is that products are made responsibly. And when you choose quality, you’re ensuring a longer lasting life for your products. Who knew buying a piece of clothing makes such an impact?
Here's a list of certified organic brands that we offer for your littles.
1) Red Caribou
Red Caribou was born in 2014 with the idea of creating a sustainable clothing brand that could tell meaningful stories with each collection. Inspired by animals and nature, they create characters and adventures where little ones can be the stars. In order to ensure environmental, social, and labor responsibility, they manage the entire manufacturing process themselves. Beginning with hand drawn patterns, everything is printed with non-toxic water based ink on 100% Peruvian Pima cotton and 100% GOTS certified organic Peruvian Pima cotton.
2) Bobo Choses
One word to describe Bobo Choses? Fun. This children's clothing brand based in Spain, comes to you from an old toy factory two blocks from the Mediterranean Sea. Their goal is to create fun clothes in comfortable shapes for kids to play with. Almost 100% of their collections are made local, which allows them to control both the quality and the entire production process. On top of that, it's important for them to give back to the community, as well as having the least environmental impact.
COS I SAID SO is a children's clothing brand based in Belgium. They stand for easy outfits and comfortable basics in unisex colors, perfect for mixing and matching all year round. Hand drawn graphics give each piece a signature touch. All of their basics are made from organic cotton and have the OEKO-TEX certificate. Their main focus is to be as sustainable and ecological as possible, creating an ethical work environment and avoiding the use of plastic and unnecessary packaging as much as they can. They dress the urban mini-malist.
Colored Organics is a children's clothing brand, founded by a mom with a mission to make a difference in the clothing industry. Everything they create starts with organic cotton. It's better for farmers - they are able to work in safe environments free from exposure to toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. It's better for our planet - produced naturally without harmful chemical treatments. And most importantly, it's better for your little ones - super soft, naturally hypoallergenic, and safe. To ensure these standards are met, they conduct regular audits of all stages of production and adhere to GOTS, the world's leading certification for organic textiles. Honest, ethical, and absolutely adorable are the values that inspire every aspect of Colored Organics.
Viverano Organics was founded in 2013 with the simple idea of producing and offering environmentally, socially, and economically responsible garments and linens for everyday use. Their GOTS and Fair-Trade certified manufacturing facility in India allows them to work closely with a farmer-owned social cooperative that strives to enhance and improve the livelihood of organic cotton farmers. They use the highest quality certified organic cotton, without harmful chemicals, allergens, insecticides, pesticides, toxic dyes, bleaches, finishes, or genetically modified seeds. This allows them to have the lowest environmental impact, promote social justice by using ethical practices, and produce the purest cotton that is soft, resilient, flexible, gentle, and sustainable. On top of that, they use recycled and sustainable packaging for all of their organic cotton products.
6) CarlijnQ
CarlijnQ was founded in the spirit of celebrating childhood. Their products represent a modern and sustainable approach to clothing, with an eye towards comfort, style, and joy. High-quality natural materials and playful prints, along with comfortable fits and soft materials stay true to what a child needs - the freedom of moving easily. With a commitment to offering ethically and sustainably made clothing, their garments are made of organic and recycled materials that are GOTS certified. This guarantees that their clothing is produced in an environmentally friendly way and without any hazardous chemicals.