GOTS: Harmonised scope and transaction certificates

In a joint initiative, the International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard (IWG) and Textile Exchange (TE) have developed harmonised policies and templates for transaction and scope certificates, GOTS reports. After a transition period the new templates-  that provide a unified layout, format and text for both certificate types used by the different certifiers and standards - will need to be used by the GOTS / TE approved certifiers for any scope and transaction certificates issued after 1 September 2012.
 

The harmonised certification documents will help all users, especially commercial buyers, to easily compare, handle and verify information provided with scope and transaction certificates issued to GOTS and any Textile Exchange standard. The development was especially welcomed by brands and retailers who purchase certified goods from various suppliers, issued by different certifiers and to different standards. The harmonised new templates together with policies for their issuing are posted on the GOTS website:

http://www.global-standard.org/certification/certificatetemplates.html