The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres.
It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well.
Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibres can become GOTS certified. All chemical inputs such as dyestuffs and auxiliaries used must meet certain environmental and toxicological criteria. The choice of accessories is limited in accordance with ecological aspects as well.
A functional waste water treatment plant is mandatory for any wet-processing unit involved and all processes must comply with social criteria.
The aim of the standard is to define world-wide recognized requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.
Textile processors and manufacturers are enabled to export their organic fabrics and garments with one certification accepted in all major markets.
The main social criteria:
Employees can freely choose their employment and the right to collective bargaining
Working conditions are safe and hygienic
Child labour must not be used
Fixed minimum wage
Marked working hours (limited to 8 hours per day)
No discrimination
Only legal employment
Any form of coercion or inhumane treatment is prohibited
SA8000 is a certification standard that encourages organizations to develop, maintain, and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace. It is important for HILDESTAD COPENHAGEN to support this to ensure an ethical and social accountability in the working conditions of others. All our cotton products are produced in a factory complying with SA8000 in order to protect the basic human rights of workers.
The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. Product class 1 ensures that the product meets the ecological demands for baby products. The aim is to guarantee that products are free of harmful substances and therefore safe for human health and the environment.
The most sustainable materials must always be chosen for the manufacturing of our products, and all our cotton is of course organically grown, but even so, not all our products comply with GOTS. When a product consists of blended materials, i.e. textile products with a polyester filling, a bell, a music box or other enteric combining, it can no longer be GOTS label/certified. These “blended” products are instead certified according to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class 1 and SA8000.
The Nordic Ecolabel is a certification for non-food products. This label indicates that the product is among the least environmentally harmful in that department.
FSC label is an assurance of responsible logging and improved living conditions for the local population in forests around the world - from the tropical rain forests to the Swedish coniferous forests. FSC is responsible for the environment, people and economic conditions.
FSC label is a guarantee that forests are managed sustainably, and that no more trees are felled than the forest can reproduce. FSC protects natives- and local populations in forests worldwide. FSC system is unique because both the environmental, social and economic interests are safeguarded.
