If you've been shopping for organic baby products, you've almost certainly come across terms like "GOTS certified" or "OEKO-TEX Standard 100." But what do these certifications actually mean — and how do you know which ones to trust? This guide breaks it all down so you can shop with confidence, whether you're in Australia, New Zealand, the US, or anywhere else.
Why Certifications Matter for Baby Products
The word "organic" on a label doesn't always mean what you think it does. Without independent certification, there's no guarantee that a product was made without harmful pesticides, synthetic dyes, or toxic chemical finishes. For baby products — which are in constant contact with your newborn's sensitive skin — this matters enormously.
Certifications provide independent, third-party verification that a product meets specific standards throughout its entire production process, from the farm to the finished product.
GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS is widely considered the gold standard for organic textiles. To earn GOTS certification, a product must:
- Be made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres (95% for the "organic" label, 70% for "made with organic")
- Meet strict environmental and social criteria at every stage of processing, manufacturing, and trading
- Be free from harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, heavy metals, and toxic dyes
- Be produced under fair labour conditions
GOTS certification covers the entire supply chain — not just the raw material. This makes it one of the most comprehensive and trustworthy certifications available. It's recognised and respected by parents and retailers in AU, NZ, the US, and across the EU.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 takes a different approach: rather than certifying the production process, it certifies the finished product. Every component of an OEKO-TEX certified product — including threads, buttons, and dyes — has been tested for harmful substances.
Key things to know about OEKO-TEX Standard 100:
- Products are tested against a list of over 100 harmful substances
- There are four product classes, with Class I being the most stringent — and the one required for baby products
- Certification is renewed annually, ensuring ongoing compliance
- It does not certify the production process or labour conditions — for that, look for GOTS
Other Certifications Worth Knowing
Fair Trade Certified
Fair Trade certification focuses on the social and economic conditions of production — ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and community investment for the people who make your baby's products. It's often found alongside GOTS certification.
MADE SAFE
MADE SAFE is a US-based certification that screens products for known toxic chemicals. It's increasingly recognised by US parents as a trusted indicator of product safety.
Cradle to Cradle
Popular in Europe, Cradle to Cradle certification assesses products across five categories: material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. It's a holistic sustainability certification that goes beyond textiles.
What to Look For When Shopping
When buying organic baby products, here's a simple checklist:
- Look for GOTS for the most comprehensive organic textile certification
- Look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I for baby products tested for harmful substances
- Be sceptical of "natural" or "eco" claims without third-party certification to back them up
- Check the certification number — legitimate certifications can be verified on the certifying body's website
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GOTS and OEKO-TEX?
GOTS certifies the entire production process — from raw organic fibre to finished product — including environmental and social criteria at every step. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests only the finished product for harmful substances, without verifying the organic origin of the fibres or the conditions in which the product was made. For the most complete assurance when buying baby products, GOTS is the stronger standard. Many premium baby brands carry both certifications.
Is GOTS better than OEKO-TEX for baby products?
For comprehensive certification, GOTS is the stronger standard — it covers the organic origin of the fibres, the entire production process, and the labour conditions of the people who make it. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I is a rigorous standard for harmful substance testing and is very meaningful for baby products, but it doesn't verify the organic integrity of the supply chain. If you can only choose one certification to prioritise, GOTS provides the most complete peace of mind.
What does GOTS certified mean for baby blankets and swaddles?
A GOTS certified baby blanket or swaddle has been produced from at least 95% certified organic natural fibres (for the "organic" label), processed without toxic dyes or chemical finishes, manufactured under verified fair labour conditions, and independently audited at every stage of the supply chain. Each legitimate GOTS certification carries a unique licence number that can be verified publicly at the Global Organic Textile Standard database (global-standard.org).
How do I verify a product is genuinely GOTS certified?
Every GOTS certified product is linked to a unique licence number. You can verify any GOTS certification by entering the licence number at the GOTS public database at global-standard.org/public-database. If a brand claims GOTS certification but cannot provide a verifiable licence number, treat the claim with caution — "GOTS-inspired" or "made with organic cotton" without a licence number is not GOTS certified.
What certifications should I look for when buying organic cotton baby products in Australia?
In Australia, the most trusted certifications for organic baby cotton are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for comprehensive supply chain verification, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I for finished product safety testing. Some products also carry ACO (Australian Certified Organic) certification, which verifies organic farming practices but does not cover the full textile production chain the way GOTS does. For swaddles, blankets, cot sheets and clothing, GOTS is the benchmark to look for.
Is "natural" or "eco" cotton the same as certified organic cotton?
No. "Natural," "eco," "green" and "sustainable" are marketing terms with no standardised definition and no third-party verification required. Certified organic cotton — under GOTS or a comparable standard — requires independent auditing of the entire production process. When shopping for baby products, always look for a named certification with a verifiable licence number, not just a label claim.
What is the difference between organic cotton and regular cotton for baby products?
Conventional cotton is one of the world's most pesticide-intensive crops. It is also typically processed with chlorine bleach, formaldehyde-based finishes, and synthetic dyes. Certified organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, and GOTS certification verifies that the entire supply chain — from farm to finished fabric — meets strict environmental and health criteria. For newborns, whose skin absorbs substances more readily than adult skin, the difference is meaningful.
At Kiddospot, our Organic & Natural collection features products made from GOTS-certified organic cotton — so you can shop with confidence. Our Newborn Essentials range is curated with safety as the top priority, and every product is vetted against Australian safety standards before being added to our store.
For a deeper dive on GOTS specifically, read our complete guide to GOTS certification. For the full comparison of organic vs conventional cotton, see our organic vs regular cotton guide for Australian parents.