OEKO-TEX, GOTS, BCI: Textile Certifications for Towels
The main certifications for towels are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (tested for harmful substances), GOTS (organic fibre and processing), GRS (recycled content), Better Cotton (formerly BCI, responsible cotton farming), ISO 9001 (quality management) and Sedex/SMETA (ethical audits). Which you need depends on your claims and your retailers' requirements.
Towel certifications fall into three groups: product safety (OEKO-TEX Standard 100), fibre claims (GOTS, GRS, Better Cotton) and company systems (ISO 9001, Sedex). Choose the ones that match the claims you make and the retailers you sell to.
Key fact: a certificate only covers what and who it names – always check the certificate holder, scope and validity in the issuer's database.
What certifications should towels have?
| Certification | What it verifies | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Product tested for harmful substances | Most retail and hospitality buyers |
| GOTS | Organic fibre and certified processing | "Organic" claims |
| GRS | Recycled content and chain of custody | "Recycled" claims |
| Better Cotton (formerly BCI) | Cotton sourcing through a responsible farming programme | Retailers in the programme |
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality management system | Supplier approval, consistency |
| Sedex / SMETA | Ethical and social audit data | Retailers with ethical sourcing policies |
Which certifications does Pestemal.com hold?
Pestemal.com holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (certificate no. IS025 136549 OETI), GOTS, GRS, ISO 9001:2015 and Sedex. Certificates are available on request for verification.
What is the difference between a scope certificate and a transaction certificate?
For GOTS and GRS, the scope certificate shows that a company is certified for certain products and processes. A transaction certificate covers a specific shipment of certified goods. If you sell organic or recycled claims, ask for transaction certificates with your orders. See organic cotton and recycled cotton.
What are the most common mistakes with certifications?
- Using a supplier's certificate to make claims on products it does not cover.
- Not checking validity dates.
- Using logos without the issuer's labelling permission.
- Forgetting transaction certificates for organic or recycled claims.
What should you do next?
- List the claims you want to make on your products.
- Match each claim to a certification.
- Request certificates and verify them online.
Key takeaways
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 covers harmful substances.
- GOTS covers organic; GRS covers recycled.
- ISO 9001 and Sedex cover the company's systems.
- Verify scope and validity in the issuer's database.
- Pestemal.com is a Denizli, Türkiye based pestemal manufacturer holding OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, GRS, ISO 9001:2015 and Sedex. See also choosing a manufacturer.
We hold OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (IS025 136549 OETI), GOTS, GRS, ISO 9001:2015 and Sedex for our production in Denizli, and share certificates with buyers for verification.
Frequently asked questions
What certifications should towels have?
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for safety is the most common; GOTS, GRS or Better Cotton for fibre claims; ISO 9001 and Sedex for supplier systems.
What does OEKO-TEX Standard 100 mean?
The product has been tested for harmful substances against OEKO-TEX limits.
What is the difference between GOTS and GRS?
GOTS covers organic fibre and processing; GRS covers recycled content.
What happened to BCI?
The Better Cotton Initiative now operates as Better Cotton.
Which certifications does Pestemal.com hold?
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (IS025 136549 OETI), GOTS, GRS, ISO 9001:2015 and Sedex.