Certificates
GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS, RWS: the certificates on our labels
On our product pages you'll come across five abbreviations: GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS and RWS. Each one proves something different. Here you can take your time to find out what the individual standards verify, how they differ and where you can see which one applies to your item.
At a glance
- GOTS and OCS apply to organic fibres, GRS and RCS to recycled fibres, RWS to wool.
- GOTS and GRS also check chemicals as well as environmental and social criteria; OCS and RCS mainly check the fibre content.
- TENCEL™, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ and REPREVE® are fibre brands, not certificates.
- Which standard applies to which item is shown in the "Production" tab on the product page of each item.
Why there are several certificates
There is no single label that covers everything. A T-shirt in organic cotton needs different proof than leggings in recycled polyamide or a wool jumper. That's why we work with several standards and state which one applies to each item. What all five have in common: independent certification bodies inspect the facilities, and the goods are traced along the supply chain.
For organic fibres: GOTS and OCS
GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS is the more comprehensive of the two standards. With the "organic" label, at least 95 % of the fibres must come from organic farming; with "made with organic", at least 70 %. On top of that come requirements for dyes and auxiliaries, wastewater treatment and minimum social criteria based on the ILO core labour standards. Explained in detail in the article on the GOTS label.
OCS – Organic Content Standard
The OCS from the non-profit organisation Textile Exchange confirms how much organic fibre a product contains and traces this fibre from cultivation to the finished piece. It contains no requirements of its own on chemicals or working conditions. There are two levels: "OCS 100" for products with at least 95 % organic content and "OCS blended" for blends from 5 %.
For recycled fibres: GRS and RCS
GRS – Global Recycled Standard
The GRS, also from Textile Exchange, confirms the share of recycled materials and tracks it through the supply chain. In addition, there are requirements for chemicals, environmental management and social criteria at the facilities. Products with at least 20 % recycled content can be certified; the GRS logo on the end product requires at least 50 %.
RCS – Recycled Claim Standard
The RCS is the lean version: it verifies the recycled content and its traceability, without additional environmental or social criteria. "RCS 100" stands for at least 95 % recycled material, "RCS blended" for shares from 5 %.
For wool: RWS
The Responsible Wool Standard from Textile Exchange sets requirements for how the sheep are kept and how the grazing land is managed. This includes, for example, the ban on mulesing. Here too, the wool is traced from the farm to the finished product. Good to know: items made from wool or merino are not vegan.
| Standard | Applies to | Also checks chemicals and social criteria |
|---|---|---|
| GOTS | organic natural fibres, min. 70 % | yes |
| OCS | organic fibres, from 5 % | no |
| GRS | recycled materials, from 20 % | yes |
| RCS | recycled materials, from 5 % | no |
| RWS | sheep's wool | animal welfare and land management |
TENCEL™, ECOVERO™ and REPREVE®: brands, not labels
Some names on labels are brand names of fibre manufacturers. TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal as well as LENZING™ ECOVERO™ are cellulose fibres made from wood by the Austrian manufacturer Lenzing. REPREVE® is a recycled polyester made from used PET bottles, among other things. These names tell you which fibre is inside and where it comes from. But they are no substitute for a certificate for the finished product.
How to find the information for your item
- Open the product page and look in the "Production" tab.
- Compare the composition with the standard named. A hoodie in organic cotton and recycled polyester, for example, can have proof for both types of fibre.
- You'll find more background on all standards on the Certificates page.
FAQ
Which certificate is the best?
That depends on the material. For organic cotton, GOTS is more comprehensive than OCS; for recycled fibres, GRS is more comprehensive than RCS. Both variants verify the fibre content independently.
Does a certificate apply to the whole brand?
No. Certificates apply to specific products and facilities. That's why we state the information for each item on the product page.
Is TENCEL™ a certificate?
No, TENCEL™ is a Lenzing brand for Lyocell and Modal fibres. It tells you which fibre was used.
