Certifications · March 5, 2026 · 15 min read
In the textile industry, certifications have become an essential selection criterion for responsible brands. But between GOTS, OEKO-TEX, BSCI, WRAP, OCS and ICS, how do you find your way? This guide decodes each certification, what it covers, what it doesn't, and how to verify it.
Textile certifications provide a verifiable guarantee audited by independent third parties. They meet three fundamental needs of B2B brands and buyers:
For more on our commitment, see our dedicated certifications page.
GOTS certification is the global benchmark for organic textiles. It covers the entire chain: from organic cotton harvest to finished product, including spinning, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing. A GOTS-certified product contains at least 70% organic fibres (95% for the "organic" label).
GOTS imposes strict criteria on chemical inputs: no formaldehyde, no azo dyes, no heavy metals. The manufacturing process must respect wastewater discharge limits. Social criteria include the prohibition of child labour, working hours, and remuneration conditions in line with ILO conventions.
LOI Confection has been GOTS-certified since 2018, allowing partner brands to offer certified organic collections. Our integrated dyeing unit complies with GOTS water treatment standards.
BSCI is a social audit programme created by the Foreign Trade Association (amfori). It assesses working conditions in factories across 11 areas: freedom of association, non-discrimination, fair remuneration, health and safety, environmental protection, ethical business behaviour.
The grading goes from A (outstanding) to E (unacceptable). Grade A means the factory not only meets standards but also implements best practices beyond minimum requirements. Only 8% of audited factories worldwide achieve Grade A.
LOI Confection holds BSCI Grade A — the highest possible score — attesting to exemplary working conditions for its 1000+ employees. Our CSR initiatives (lactarium, free canteen, on-site medical centre) exceed audit requirements.
WRAP certifies that production facilities respect 12 fundamental principles: legal compliance, prohibition of forced and child labour, harassment, health and safety, freedom of association, discrimination, working hours, remuneration, environment, customs compliance, security.
Platinum is the highest level (3-year validity, reserved for facilities audited 3+ times without major non-conformity). Gold corresponds to 1-year validity. Silver to 6 months. Platinum testifies to a sustained, ongoing commitment, not a one-off effort.
LOI Confection is WRAP Platinum certified — the highest level — demonstrating a verified long-term commitment to responsible production.
OCS verifies and traces the organic content of products, from source to finished product. Unlike GOTS, OCS focuses only on the traceability of organic material, without imposing additional social or environmental criteria on the production process.
OCS is ideal for products containing between 5% and 100% organic materials. It complements GOTS by ensuring that the declared organic content is genuinely present and traceable. At LOI Confection, this certification guarantees full organic traceability for brands that request it.
ICS is a French social audit initiative led by the Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution (FCD). It verifies supplier compliance with international social standards. Mainly used by French retailers (Carrefour, Auchan, Casino), ICS audits working conditions, health/safety and environmental practices.
LOI Confection's ICS compliance facilitates partnerships with French retailers and brands that require this standard for their supply chain.
This is the most frequent question from brands. Here is the fundamental distinction:
| Criterion | GOTS | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Full chain (fibre → finished product) | Finished product only |
| Organic materials required | Yes (min. 70%) | No |
| Social criteria | Yes (ILO) | No |
| Process environmental criteria | Yes (wastewater, energy) | No |
| Harmful substance testing | Yes | Yes (main focus) |
In short: OEKO-TEX guarantees that the finished product is safe for the consumer. GOTS guarantees that the entire manufacturing process is organic AND socially responsible. For premium baby clothing brands, GOTS is the reference standard because parents want to know that the entire chain is controlled.
Before signing with a manufacturer, systematically verify their certifications:
Brands often wonder about the additional cost of a certified manufacturer. Here is the reality:
These costs are largely offset by added value in commercial positioning, regulatory compliance, and reduced reputational risk. A manufacturer like LOI Confection, which holds 4 certifications, spreads these costs over a volume of 1.5 to 2 million pieces per year.
GOTS certifies the entire production chain (from fibre to finished product) with both organic AND social criteria. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 only certifies the absence of harmful substances in the finished product, with no requirement on the production process or working conditions.
GOTS certification is valid for 1 year. A full audit (documentation + factory visit) is required every year for renewal. The initial process generally takes 3 to 6 months.
Yes, the certifications are complementary. GOTS covers organic materials and process, WRAP covers responsible production practices. LOI Confection holds both, plus BSCI Grade A and ICS.
Grade A is the highest possible score in the BSCI audit. It means the factory complies with the most demanding standards across 11 areas: freedom of association, non-discrimination, fair remuneration, health and safety, working hours, etc.
GOTS and OCS certifications can be checked on public databases (global-standard.org). For BSCI, request the audit report with the score. WRAP publishes a list of certified factories on wrapcompliance.org.