Certifications You Need to Look For When Buying Organic Cotton Clothing

The Issue

Choosing organic cotton clothing should be simple—but the reality is that the fashion industry makes it confusing on purpose. Sustainability has become a marketing buzzword, and too many brands rely on greenwashed language instead of verifiable standards.

At RooDoo, we’ve learned the hard way that if you want truly organic clothing—free from harmful chemicals, ethically produced, and aligned with real planetary care—you must look deeper than the label. This guide breaks down the certifications that actually matter, the ones that fall short, and how you as a consumer can protect yourself from misleading claims.

Our Brand Experience — The Real Challenges Behind Sourcing “Organic” Cotton

When we first started sourcing organic cotton for RooDoo, the biggest challenge wasn’t finding organic suppliers—it was figuring out which ones were genuinely organic and which ones were simply marketing themselves that way.

A 'green' badge here, an ‘eco clothing’ or ‘sustainable clothing’ badge there, but when these suppliers were confronted for certifications, many suddenly went quiet. 

And yes—unfortunately, a garment made with only a tiny percentage of organic fibre can still be labelled “organic” in some markets. That’s how greenwashing thrives.

Another major issue was the fragmented supply chain. Cotton may be grown organically, but that doesn’t guarantee the spinning, dyeing, or printing processes follow the same standards. Many suppliers had no full-chain traceability, which for us was a huge red flag.

So here’s the question: What certifications genuinely protect you—and which ones just sound good?

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) 

The certification we trust above all is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). It’s recognised as the gold standard for Organic Cotton worldwide, as it’s the only certification that looks at the entire production chain. From fibres to dyes, wastewater to worker welfare, chemical restrictions to inspection of non-GMO cotton seeds. 

It doesn't just focus on how cotton is grown; it also uncovers how people are treated throughout the supply chain. To earn this certification, suppliers must meet strict social criteria based on key International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles, including: 

• No child labour

• Safe and hygienic working conditions 

• Fair wages and working hours 

• Freedom of association and collective bargaining 

• No discrimination of forced labour 

• Cultivated organically (no GMO seeds or harmful chemicals) 

Our vote - 5 Star

RooDoo garments are GOTS certified

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100

This is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. It sets the benchmark for textile safety, from yarn to finished product. Every item bearing the STANDARD 100 label is certified as having passed safety tests for the presence of harmful substances.

The Standard 100 not only tests these substances for chemicals potentially harmful for humans, but for the environment also, and guarantees that they comply with the EU REACH regulation. Standard 100 also prohibits certain potentially harmful substances, even where these are not yet legally banned. 

Where GOTS ensures the fabric itself is organic, OEKO-TEX ensures the finished item is safe to wear. STANDARD 100 tests textiles for harmful chemicals, even those not yet legally banned.

Our vote - 4 Star

RooDoo garments are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 approved.

OCS (Organic Cotton Standard)

OCS is a well-respected certification, but it’s not as comprehensive as GOTS. 

It focuses specifically on verifying the presence and percentage of organic fibres and ensuring traceability from farm to finished product. It is excellent for confirming whether a supplier truly uses organic cotton.

However, OCS does not assess chemical use, dye processes, environmental impacts, or worker conditions. So while it ensures the cotton itself is organic, it doesn’t ensure the rest of the production chain meets similar standards. It’s still valuable—but less holistic.

Our vote: 3/4 Star

USDA Organic

(United States Department of Agriculture) 

USDA Organic is widely recognised in the agricultural world, but it doesn’t translate smoothly into the textile space. 

The certification focuses on raw cotton farming—requiring non-GMO seeds and prohibiting synthetic pesticides and fertilisers—but it does not regulate the processing or manufacturing stages that turn cotton into fabric.

This means a garment could contain USDA-certified cotton yet still be dyed or finished using harsh chemicals. Because of these gaps, the USDA now allows GOTS-certification to be used to label organic textiles in the US.

Our Vote : 3 stars—good for farming, insufficient for textiles.

BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)

BCI is one certification we recommend approaching with caution. It is technically a “better practices” program, not an organic standard, and it allows GMO cotton, synthetic pesticides, and synthetic fertilisers—three major drivers of biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and water pollution. 

BCI is popular among fast-fashion brands because it’s inexpensive and relatively easy to achieve. Independent reports, including one by the Changing Markets Foundation, have criticised BCI for lowering sustainability standards across the industry. For anyone seeking genuinely organic clothing, BCI falls short. 

Our Vote: 2 stars.

Other Certifications to Consider

There are several additional certifications that can help provide clarity and protect consumers from misleading sustainability claims.

GOTS remains the gold standard, but depending on what you’re buying, these certifications can also be helpful indicators.

PETA Approved

"PETA Approved" means a company or product meets 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA)'s standards for being cruelty free  (no animal testing) and/or vegan (no animal-derived ingredients), with specific logos for cosmetics (Animal Test-Free, Cruelty-Free) and fashion/home (PETA-Approved Vegan), helping consumers identify ethical choices in beauty, clothing, and furniture that don't exploit animals. 

RooDoo garments are PETA Approved.

GRS (Global Recycled Standard)

GRS is the world’s leading standard for recycled textiles. The standard applies to the full supply chain and addresses traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, chemical content, and labelling. 

At RooDoo we only source 100% Organic Cotton, we don’t like the idea of having plastics in our garments or in our packaging, even if they have come from reputable sources. 

But still, if you are buying items containing recycled polyester, be sure to search for the GRS certification. 

Fair Wear Foundation 

Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independent organisation that works with apparel brands, garment workers and textile industry stakeholders to improve labour conditions in garment factories. The main actions carried out under this commitment include conducting factory audits to assess human rights risks. Training workers and factory management teams on human rights and establishing a grievance mechanism that is accessible in all partner factories. 

RooDoo’s garments are Fair Wear Foundation certified. 

Textile Exchange 

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organisation that works closely with its members to drive industry transformation in preferred fibres, integrity and standards, and responsible supply networks.

Our supplier has been a member since 2012 and participates in various Textile Exchange initiatives, including the annual Material Change Index survey and the Sustainable Cotton and Polyester Challenges, which are part of the Materials Benchmark survey. These tools map progress towards more sustainable sourcing at the raw material level. 

Our Certifications 

Remember, the cheaper the garment, the more likely it contains harmful chemicals, is damaging to the environment and the workforce that makes them.

Buy nice, not twice, and remember fast fashion can be a thing of the past if we just don’t pay for the poisons. 

Please find our certifications at the bottom of this page. The certifications are titled to 'Stanley Stella', our wonderful supplier of these beautiful 100% Organic Garments. 

Our Philosophy 

For us at RooDoo, “organic” clothing means no harmful chemicals anywhere in the chain, not just in the farm soil. True organic production protects the environment and the people who handle the cotton.
“Ethical” means the people behind the garment are paid fairly, work safely, and aren’t invisible. It also means the brand communicates honestly—no vague claims, no greenwashing, no hiding behind marketing language.