Why GOTS serves as (part of) the solution – ways during and post COVID – 19

About Speaker
Claudia Kersten is actively involved in the field of sustainable textiles since 2005. Currently, she is Managing Director of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). She served as GOTS Director Marketing and Finance from 2012 to 2017.Claudia has been an editor of the B2B magazine for sustainable textiles “natürlich natur” in Germany. Previously, she served as a board member with IVN, one of the GOTS founders based in Germany. Claudia has a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from the Leuphana University, Lueneburg, Germany. Her special research interest lies in contributions of Standards to the ‘Business Case for Sustainability’.

About Company
GOTS is comprised of four reputed member organizations, namely OTA (USA), IVN (Germany), Soil Association (UK) and JOCA (Japan), which contribute to the GOTS, together with further international stakeholder organizations and experts, their respective expertise in organic farming and environmentally and socially responsible textile processing. Our vision is that organic textiles will become a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment. Our mission is the development, implementation, verification, protection and promotion of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This standard stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecology and labor conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, organic production relies on adequate animal husbandry and excludes genetic modification. We see ourselves as contributing to sustainable development and actively cooperate with all relevant stakeholders.