When a page, label or customer file refers to GOTS, record which product, supply-chain activity and document support the wording. A GOTS certificate, a transaction record and a product-page statement do different jobs; one supplier document should not be treated as proof for every product or market.

1. Define the evidence object

Build the record around the specific SKU, fibre composition, processing steps and transaction lot. GOTS Version 8.0 addresses relevant processing and trading activities in the textile supply chain. Whether a particular operation or product falls within a certification scope depends on the facts and the certification assessment; GOTS should not be described as a universal market-entry requirement.

At minimum, record the product name and model, fibre composition, processing activities, responsible entities, production or trading locations, target page and the exact GOTS wording used. Recheck the wording when the product, supplier or process changes.

2. Keep Scope Certificates and Transaction Certificates separate

A Scope Certificate (SC) describes the certified entity’s approved activities and product categories. Check the entity name, approved certifier, scope description, product category and certificate status instead of relying on a brand name or screenshot alone.

A Transaction Certificate (TC) relates to a particular transaction or delivery and its product and quantity information. GOTS guidance also points to invoices and delivery records as part of the supporting record. A TC does not automatically cover another product, lot or legal entity.

Index the SC, TC, invoice, delivery note and product specification together. Check the product description, quantity or unit, parties, dates, certificate numbers, certifier and relevant supply-chain step. Flag discrepancies for confirmation before using the wording on a page.

3. Review each page, label and promotional sentence

“Organic fibre,” “GOTS certified,” and “made according to GOTS” are not interchangeable statements. Record the exact sentence, product, page location, evidence reference and review date. Use the wording only when the applicable documents and conditions support it.

If a GOTS registered sign or other GOTS-related mark is to be used, review the applicable sign-use conditions, label grade and release documentation first. Do not redraw, recolour, separate or place a mark on a product that the supporting records do not cover. This article does not replace confirmation from GOTS or the relevant certification body.

4. Build a traceable evidence register

A practical “product–document–page” register can include:

  • Product: SKU, fibre composition, specification, processing steps and version.
  • Entities: brand, manufacturing or trading entities and their names in the documents.
  • Supply chain: SC, TC, invoices, delivery records and relevant lot information.
  • Page: URL or content version, exact sentence, image text, use scope and evidence reference.
  • Review: discrepancies, questions sent to the supplier or certifier, resolution and reviewer.

GOTS Version 8.0 describes documented controls for the origin, nature and quantities of materials, the flow of goods, processing information, fibre composition and outgoing GOTS Goods. Keep records as required for the applicable operation. A record is not itself a certification, but it helps the team locate support when a page changes or a customer asks a question.

5. Boundaries and review checklist

Do not treat a GOTS certificate as a blanket statement of compliance with every law, platform rule or buyer standard. GOTS, GRS, RCS, OEKO-TEX and other programmes have different scopes, terms, marks and documents and should be checked separately.

  • Do the entity, product and processing scope on the certificate match the page product?
  • Does the TC correspond to the current transaction, product description and quantity?
  • Does the page sentence stay within what the documents support?
  • Do the mark, label grade and placement follow the applicable GOTS sign-use conditions?
  • Was the evidence rechecked after a change in product, supplier, formula, site or page version?

绿色方舟（深圳）认证有限公司 can help organise the correspondence between product, supply-chain and page evidence. The applicable scope, certificate status and sign-use requirements should be confirmed against GOTS materials, the relevant certification-body documents and the company’s actual records.

Sources

GOTS Version 8.0; Manual for the Implementation of GOTS v8.0; GOTS Certified Suppliers and verification notes; GOTS certification and labelling information.