Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification guarantees organic fibers grown without pesticides, fair labor practices throughout the supply chain, and rigorous environmental oversight. It's extensive—really!

But here's what most brands won't mention: GOTS permits bleaching and dyeing processes that can still involve hazardous chemicals, despite the organic growing credentials.

The cotton arrives clean from the field, but GOTS allows toxic chemicals in bleaching and dyeing. This is precisely why GOTS has become fashion's favorite sustainability badge—the raw material story sounds impeccable while the chemical processing remains negotiable.

Cradle to Cradle certification refuses this compromise. Not only must the cotton grow organically, but harmful bleaches and dyes are prohibited throughout weaving, knitting, and every finishing step. It's the difference between "organic cotton" and "actually safe at every stage."

Greenwashing thrives in this gap—brands truthfully claim "GOTS organic cotton" while they use toxic dyes that would horrify consumers who chose organic specifically to avoid toxins.