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What clothing certifications actually mean: OEKO-TEX, GOTS, bluesign, GRS

Textile certification labels are useful, but each one verifies something different, and none verifies everything. Here is what the four most common marks actually mean, straight from their own standards.

In this article

OEKO-TEX Standard 100: chemical safety of the finished item

This is the one about your skin. It lab-tests the finished garment against more than 1,000 harmful substances, including formaldehyde and PFAS. It does not mean organic, and it does not cover labour or environmental impact. It is the strongest single signal that a garment is low in harmful chemical residues.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished article against 1,000+ harmful substances, with the strictest limits for babywear.

GOTS: organic fibre plus responsible processing

GOTS certifies at least 95 percent organic fibre (or 70 percent for a made-with label) and covers processing and labour criteria across the supply chain. It is an input and process standard, not a finished-residue test, so it pairs well with OEKO-TEX rather than replacing it.

bluesign: safer chemistry in the factory

bluesign manages the chemical inputs used in manufacturing. Its consumer PRODUCT label allows up to 10 percent non-certified fabric, so it is about cleaner production, not a whole-garment residue test, and not an organic or recycled claim.

GRS: verified recycled content

The Global Recycled Standard verifies recycled content (at least 50 percent for a consumer label) and chain of custody. It is not a chemical-safety test and does not mean 100 percent recycled.

How ClothTrace uses them

ClothTrace only surfaces a certification when it is actually printed on the label, and it tells you exactly what that mark does and does not cover, so a logo never gets read as more than it is.

See what your clothes are really made of

Scan any care label. ClothTrace reads the real fibre, decodes the wash symbols, and flags what it puts against your skin. Free to scan.

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Frequently asked

Which clothing certification is best for skin safety?

OEKO-TEX Standard 100, because it lab-tests the finished garment for over 1,000 harmful substances including formaldehyde and PFAS. It is the strongest signal for chemical safety.

Does GOTS mean chemical-free?

Not exactly. GOTS certifies organic fibre and responsible processing, but it is an input and process standard, not a finished-product residue test. OEKO-TEX is the residue test.

Is bluesign organic or recycled?

Neither. bluesign is about safer chemistry in manufacturing, and its product label allows some non-certified fabric.