Transparency is one of our core values, and that certainly applies to the certifications behind our materials. Instead of vague claims, we explain exactly which standards we follow, what they mean, and what they do and do not guarantee. More importantly, we show all our certifications.
View all our certifications below.
Certifications
GOTS Certification
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the strictest global certification for organic textiles. It guarantees that a garment, from cultivation to production, meets strict environmental and social standards — without toxic chemicals and with fair working conditions.
View our producer's GOTS certification here.
GOTS License Number
GOTS-certified fabric and factory are not easy to find. That is why we are proud that our producer is fully certified in this regard: from knitting and garment manufacturing to printing, trading, dyeing, pre-treatment, washing, linen care, and finishing. The entire processing of our fabrics is covered, not just the cultivation of the cotton. For every batch we use, we also receive proof.
Think of it like cooking: a dish is only truly organic if every ingredient is — not just the vegetables, but also the oil, the herbs, and the sauce. That's how it works with GOTS: only when every step in the processing is certified, is the final product fully GOTS.
NOHI NATURAL itself does not yet have its own brand certification for the finished garment — that requires a separate process of audits and documentation. The certification you see here is therefore that of our producer, not of NOHI. As a growing brand, we prefer to invest those resources now in certified fabrics and higher quality garments. We never want to give the impression of possessing certifications that we do not have — only when we ourselves have a GOTS license are we legally allowed to use the GOTS logo ourselves, instead of merely referring to it in words.
OEKO-TEX® certification
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is one of the strictest and most widely recognized standards for textile safety and harmful chemicals worldwide. Our materials and components are tested for more than 1,000 harmful substances, including chemicals that can be detrimental to humans and the environment. Many different chemicals can be used specifically during the dyeing, printing, and processing of textiles. Therefore, OEKO-TEX® looks beyond just the fiber itself. The entire product and the components used are tested. This includes the fabric and dyes, but also yarns, prints, buttons, and other components.
OEKO-TEX® sets strict limit values for these substances. Only when a product meets these requirements is it allowed to carry the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label. In this way, the standard helps ensure that harmful substances are excluded as much as possible from certified textiles and that what ultimately comes into contact with your skin meets strict safety requirements.
For NOHI NATURAL, this means: GOTS-certified organic cotton for the fiber, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 for the safety of the end product.
View the OEKO-TEX® certificate here.
Ethical Production Certification
Our producer has been assessed according to amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), an international system for improving social conditions and responsible business practices within supply chains. The amfori BSCI audit assesses, among other things, labor rights, working hours, remuneration, health and safety, child and forced labor, protection of vulnerable workers, and other social conditions in the workplace. The assessment is based on international labor standards, including the guidelines of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The audit is conducted by an independent, accredited third party and takes place semi-unannounced. This means that the production site receives a limited period of possible audit dates in advance but does not know on which day the auditor will actually visit. This allows the audit to assess daily working conditions as realistically as possible. The strengths of a production site are identified, as are areas for improvement.
We believe it is important to be transparent about the (working) conditions under which our clothing is made. Therefore, we are sharing the amfori BSCI audit report to the right. This allows you to see for yourself how our production site has been assessed and which aspects of social responsibility within the factory have been reviewed.
See the amfori audit report here.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between OCS organic cotton, GOTS, and conventional cotton?
These represent three very different levels, and the main distinction lies in the extent of control: only the fiber, the entire chain, or nothing at all.
Conventional cotton
With conventional cotton, there is no certification whatsoever that guarantees anything about cultivation methods, chemical use, or labor conditions. Conventional cotton cultivation typically uses synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and sometimes genetically modified seeds. There is no independent control over environmental impact or social conditions; you have to take the producer's claims at their word.
OCS (Organic Content Standard)
OCS is a certification that exclusively verifies whether the organic material in a product was actually organically grown and is traceable throughout the supply chain (from farm to finished product). It therefore concerns the origin and traceability of the fiber.
What OCS does not do:
- It does not impose requirements on chemicals used during dyeing or processing.
- It does not impose requirements on water consumption, wastewater treatment, or the environmental impact of the factory.
- It does not impose requirements on working conditions or social standards in the factory.
- There are two variants: OCS 100 (minimum 95% organic material) and OCS Blended (minimum 5% organic material, blended with other fibers).
OCS is therefore essentially an "origin label": it confirms that the fiber is genuinely organic, but says nothing about what happens to it afterwards in the factory.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
GOTS picks up where OCS leaves off. It also requires a minimum of 95% certified organic fibers (for the "organic" label), but adds a complete processing protocol:
- Chemicals: a strict, approved list of permitted dyes and auxiliaries; toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, azo dyes, and aromatic solvents are prohibited.
- Environment: requirements for wastewater treatment and processing in dyeing and washing facilities.
- Social standards: based on the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), including the prohibition of child labor and forced labor, fair wages, safe working conditions, and freedom of association.
- Traceability: every link in the chain (spinning mill, weaving mill, dyeing facility, garment factory) must also be certified and audited annually, not just the cotton farmer.
What percentage of organic cotton must a product contain to be considered "GOTS"?
To be labeled as "organic" (GOTS), a product must contain at least 95% certified organic fibers. For "made with organic materials," that threshold is a minimum of 70%.
Does GOTS certification also apply to components such as buttons, zippers or labels?
GOTS also sets requirements for accessories and additions, such as prohibiting certain metals and chemicals in, for example, buttons and zippers, even though the primary focus is on the textile fiber itself.
Does the quality of the garment change because NOHI NATURAL does not have a brand license itself?
No, the quality and origin of the material are determined by the certification in the supply chain, not by a brand licence on the GOTS finished product.
Is the factory where your clothes are sewn also inspected separately?
Yes, in addition to the GOTS certification of the material, our production partner is also audited according to amfori BSCI, which specifically looks at the working conditions in the sewing facility itself.
Is GOTS the same as a "vegan" or "cruelty-free" label?
No, GOTS focuses on organic farming, chemical use, and labor conditions, not specifically animal welfare. It is therefore not a vegan label, although the principles are not mutually exclusive.
What is the difference between GOTS and OEKO-TEX®?
GOTS considers the entire supply chain, including organic farming and social standards, while OEKO-TEX® specifically tests for harmful substances in the end product, regardless of whether the material is organic.
How exactly does an amfori BSCI audit work, and what happens if a factory does not meet the standards?
An amfori BSCI audit is not a snapshot with a simple "pass or fail", but a comprehensive assessment based on the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct, which evaluates thirteen themes. These include: child labor, forced labor, discrimination, freedom of association and collective bargaining, fair remuneration, working hours, health and safety in the workplace, and environmental protection.
How does the audit proceed in practice?
An independent, accredited auditor visits the factory unannounced or announced (usually a mix over time) and combines three types of investigation:
- Document review: payslips, contracts, time records, safety certificates.
- Physical inspection: fire safety, emergency exits, machine guarding, sanitary facilities, exposure to chemicals.
- Confidential employee interviews:
separate from management, so employees can speak freely about their working conditions without fear of reprisal.
