Four labels, four different promises

A certification can be useful evidence. It can also be easy to misread. Before paying more for a label, ask which product or component it covers and what the standard actually evaluates.

GOTS: certified organic textiles and processing

GOTS labelling applies to products that meet the standard’s applicable requirements through certified processing. Look for the label grade, certification body and certification number. A statement about certified fabric or yarn does not automatically establish certification of every finished product made with it.

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: textile substance testing

STANDARD 100 concerns textile articles and their components tested against the program’s harmful-substance criteria. Requirements depend on intended contact and product class. Use the certificate number or QR code to check the certificate’s validity and scope. This is a different question from whether the fiber was organically grown.

FSC: identify which sourcing claim is being made

FSC 100%, FSC Mix and FSC Recycled have different meanings. The 100% label concerns virgin material from certified forests; Mix allows defined combinations; Recycled concerns recycled material. Look at the exact label rather than treating every FSC claim as identical. Forest sourcing does not establish that a board’s finish is suitable for every food-contact use.

EPA Safer Choice: more than an ingredient slogan

EPA describes ingredient review alongside requirements including performance, packaging and other characteristics. Check that the exact product qualifies. A brand’s participation does not make every formula certified, and the ordinary label should not be assumed to mean fragrance-free. Follow the product’s handling instructions.

What we look for in a product note

• The exact named standard and selected product.
• Whether the claim covers the finished article, a component or packaging.
• A certificate or registry match where available.
• A clear manufacturer-stated label when an independent match has not been established.

A certification is one piece of a buying decision. It cannot tell you whether a pillow feels right, whether a towel fits your drying rail or whether a detergent suits your normal wash routine.

Read our evidence standards · Compare textile details in practice.