GOTS is not a matter of collecting as many certificates as possible. The useful questions are whether the named entity and product are within the certified scope, whether the shipment has the relevant transaction evidence, and whether the label or webpage stays within the authorised claim boundary. This guide is a source-led review framework; it does not replace applicable law or establish that any particular product is certified.

Start with the boundary: GOTS is a voluntary standard and does not replace the legal or regulatory requirements of any country. The public database is useful for locating certified entities, but GOTS says that current status and product evidence should be confirmed through the relevant certificate and, where needed, the issuing certification body.

1. Define the object you are checking

Separate four layers: the certified entity, the processing or trading stage, the specific product or product category, and the wording or sign proposed for the product and its packaging. A brand, factory, trader and importer are not automatically the same certified entity simply because they are part of one supply chain.

Create one evidence row per SKU with the product name, fibre composition, processing stages, relevant facilities, selling entity, target market and proposed claim. If the formulation, site, subcontracted operation or selling entity changes, check the scope again rather than carrying forward another product’s certificate.

2. Scope Certificate: evidence of scope, not of every shipment

A Scope Certificate describes the certified entity and the certified activities and product scope. Check the certificate number, certification body, legal entity, address, certified operations, product categories and validity information. A product or process not shown in the scope should not be added merely because a supplier says it is covered.

GOTS says that entries in its certified-suppliers database are uploaded by approved certification bodies, while also warning that the database alone is not definitive proof of current certified status. Request the Scope Certificate issued by a GOTS-approved certification body and reconcile its number and issuing body when the record is missing or unclear.

3. Transaction Certificate: connect the delivery to the scope

A Transaction Certificate relates to the product and transaction details of a particular delivery or shipment. Reconcile the supplier, buyer, product description, quantity and shipment or batch information with the purchase order, invoice, shipping records and product specification. A product appearing in a Scope Certificate does not automatically make every shipment a GOTS Good.

If the supplier can provide only a Scope Certificate but cannot explain the transaction evidence required for the delivery, record that as an evidence gap. Do not use broad words such as “organic,” “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” as a substitute for product-specific GOTS evidence and authorised wording.

4. Review labels, signs and webpage wording separately

GOTS states that references to the GOTS sign, label or certification must follow the conditions of the GOTS programme, and that label releases should be obtained through the certification body. A certificate held by one supply-chain entity does not by itself authorise a GOTS sign on every product, package, shop page or advertisement.

Use three review questions: Which product and delivery does the claim identify? Does the claiming entity match the evidence? Does the wording stay within the certificate, transaction evidence and GOTS labelling conditions? Avoid turning unverified percentages, grades, outcomes, market access or platform performance into definite claims.

5. Practical file list for procurement and content teams

Entity records: legal name, address, certificate number, certification body and internal verification record.

Product records: SKU, fibre composition, product category, processing sites, subcontracted operations and proposed product or packaging wording.

Transaction records: Scope Certificate, applicable Transaction Certificate, and the link between purchase, invoice, shipment and batch records.

Claim records: proposed GOTS label or copy, label-release evidence from the certification body, and the target-market legal review.

6. Sources and limitations

This review uses the official GOTS Version 8.0, Certification & Labelling, Certified Suppliers Database guidance and Approved Certification Bodies pages. GOTS versions, certificate status, labelling conditions and destination-market rules can change; use the current official documents, certification-body records and applicable law for the live project. 绿色方舟（深圳）认证有限公司 can help organise an evidence checklist, but does not replace the certification body’s assessment or a regulator’s decision.