Organic Cotton Certifications Explained: GOTS, OEKO-TEX & What to Look For

Kiddospot Team
2026-04-27T10:00:09+10:00

GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade — what do organic baby product certifications actually mean? This plain-English guide explains what to look for and why it matters.
More

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, wherever you are in the world.

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 and items that come into direct contact with skin

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

At Kiddospot, our Organic & Natural collection features products with recognised certifications — so you can shop with confidence. Our Newborn Essentials range is curated with safety as the top priority, and our Most Loved products are trusted by parents across AU, NZ, the US, and Europe.