GOTS wins civil action against mattress companies

A week later, GOTS also filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) documenting the widespread inaccurate and misleading use of the term 'organic' by US companies and marketers in connection with textile products.

In the complaint to the FTC, it requests the agency to make clear to the marketers that in the absence of government organic textile standards, private and globally applicable standards with third-party certifications have been developed that are recognised by certain federal agencies. Such global standards – in contrast to mere national ones – are more suitable to industries which are organised globally.

“The lawsuit and FTC complaint should send a clear message to the textile sector that unauthorised and unsubstantiated claims that textile products are 'organic' or 'GOTS-certified' will not be tolerated,” stated Herbert Ladwig, MD of GOTS.

“To serve our certified operations and provide fair competition in the market for certified organic goods, we welcome market participants to notify – both us and the FTC – of any perceived misuses of the term organic or the GOTS logo,” he added.

GOTS also urged FTC to expressly acknowledge GOTS and monitor use of the term 'organic' on textiles. Such steps will help prevent misleading organic claims and ensure consumer confidence in the term 'organic'. (MCJ)

Global Organic Textile Standard