Sri Lanka Sees 21% Uptick in GOTS-certified Factories
The Sri Lankan textile sector is working to elevate its profile in the global market and has increased the number of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified companies by 21 percent since the Covid era of 2020, according to the Joint Apparel Association (JAAF), the South Asian country’s apparel industry body.
For the year 2023/2024 period, that brings the number of certified Sri Lankan factories to 74, according to Ganesh Kaseker, GOTS’ South Asian representative.
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That includes major players in apparel like Hirdaramani International Exports, MAS Intimates and Brandix, which have also achieved certification for the sustainable production of children’s wear, ladies’ wear, men’s wear and infants’ wear.
Kaseker said the increase is related to rising interest in sustainable products from consumers, who tend to trust the GOTS certification. He added that the industry in Sri Lanka is beginning to bounce back post-Covid and recoup the share of the global export market it once had.
He said further that just being sustainable is not enough for consumers, who need the added reassurances of GOTS on many other planes. “GOTS has developed standards that cover the entire production process, based on the use of organic fibers, from textile processing and manufacturing up to licensing and labelling,” Kaseker said. “The certification process is rigorous and requires compliance with all criteria, but ultimately leads to an internationally recognized organic certification.”
Certification must be renewed annually and from the introduction of GOTS 7.0 in March of this year, all must be fully compliant by March 2024.
GOTS is based on the three principles of social responsibility, environmental sustainability and ethical business practices, along the whole of the supply chain. The social guidelines of the criteria are based on recognized international frameworks, including the OECD Due Diligence for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector, International Labor Organization and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Kaseker said.
Textile products certified under GOTS must contain a minimum of 70 percent organic fibers and dyes and auxiliaries must meet strict environmental and toxicological standards. Wastewater treatment plants are mandatory to manage water responsibly and ensure proper environmental stewardship.
Worker welfare is also among the group’s important tenets. There are to be no human rights abuses along the supply chain, there are strict policies against forced and child labor and stringent rules to combat discrimination, harassment and violence. Female workers are singled out for specific protection, but fair compensation is required for all.
