Two certification logos show up constantly on sustainable clothing tags: OEKO-TEX and GOTS. They get used almost interchangeably in marketing copy, but they test completely different things. Here’s what each one actually checks, so you know which one matters for what you’re buying.

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OEKO-TEX Standard 100: chemical safety, any fiber

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 zeroes in on one question: is the finished product free of harmful chemical residue? It tests every component — fabric, thread, buttons, zippers, prints, coatings, even labels — against a list of more than 1,000 regulated substances. Crucially, it works with any fiber type: cotton, bamboo, recycled polyester, virgin nylon, blends. OEKO-TEX doesn’t care what the garment is made of, only whether what’s left in the finished product is safe against skin.

GOTS: organic fiber content, full supply chain

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is a different animal entirely. It requires a minimum percentage of certified organic fiber — 95% for a full “organic” claim, 70% for “made with organic materials” — and it audits the entire supply chain annually, from harvesting through manufacturing, labeling, and distribution. That includes labor standards: fair wages, safe working conditions, and no forced or child labor at any processing stage. GOTS only applies to natural fibers grown organically; it has nothing to say about recycled synthetics.

Side by side

• What it tests: OEKO-TEX tests chemical residue in the finished product. GOTS tests organic fiber content and production ethics across the whole chain.
• What fibers it covers: OEKO-TEX works with any fiber. GOTS only applies to organically grown natural fibers.
• Does it check labor conditions? GOTS does, with annual audits. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 on its own does not.
• Can a product have both? Yes — an organic cotton top can carry both GOTS (for the organic fiber and ethical production) and OEKO-TEX (for chemical safety), since they measure different things.

Which one matters for your purchase

If you’re buying anything synthetic or blended — recycled polyester leggings, nylon-spandex activewear — GOTS simply doesn’t apply, since it’s an organic-fiber standard. OEKO-TEX is the more relevant check there, because it tests chemical safety regardless of fiber. If you’re buying organic cotton or bamboo pieces, GOTS is the more meaningful certification because it verifies both the organic claim and the labor conditions behind it — something OEKO-TEX alone doesn’t touch.

Where Njálla fits in

Our leggings, tops, and sports bras use recycled polyester and spandex, where GOTS isn’t the relevant standard since it doesn’t apply to synthetic fiber content. Our organic cotton and bamboo pieces are a different material category, where GOTS-style organic verification is the more meaningful check to look for. Knowing which certification actually applies to which material is most of the battle — you can read more about what we use and why in our guide to organic cotton vs. bamboo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a product be both OEKO-TEX and GOTS certified?

Yes, and it’s common for organic natural-fiber garments — GOTS covers the organic fiber content and supply chain ethics, while OEKO-TEX separately verifies the finished product is free of harmful chemical residue.

Does OEKO-TEX certification mean a product was made ethically?

Not on its own. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests chemical safety in the finished product — it doesn’t audit labor conditions or wages the way GOTS does.

Can synthetic activewear be GOTS certified?

No. GOTS is specifically an organic natural-fiber standard, so recycled polyester, nylon, or spandex blends fall outside its scope regardless of how sustainably they’re produced.

Explore the Njálla Collection

Shop our sustainable yoga leggings and yoga tops - recycled fabric, handmade Nordic nature art, ethically made. Not sure where to start? Read our complete buying guide.