GOTS: Made with Organic Materials

GOTS has two label grades. The higher grade (usually shown as just "organic") requires at least 95% certified-organic natural fiber by weight. The lower grade is "made with organic materials", which requires at least 70%. This page explains the lower grade and when to expect to see it.

Why two grades exist

Some garment categories cannot reach 95% organic fiber for technical reasons. A fitted t-shirt typically needs 3–10% elastane to keep its shape. A pair of socks needs nylon to resist abrasion. These synthetic components are not themselves organic, so a garment relying on them slips below the 95% threshold even when its main fiber is fully organic-certified.

The "made with organic materials" grade allows these mixed-fiber garments to certify provided:

• At least 70% of the fiber by weight is certified-organic natural fiber, AND
• The remaining 30% follows the same chemistry, dye, and labour rules as the higher grade.

What to verify

The processing chemistry and labour audit are identical between the two grades. The only difference is the fiber percentage threshold. A "made with organic materials" t-shirt has been audited end-to-end the same way as an "organic" t-shirt, but it just contains a higher proportion of synthetic fiber, usually for stretch or durability.

The label will state the exact percentage of organic fiber and the GOTS licence number, both verifiable on the GOTS public database.