The Global Organic Textile Standard was developed by leading international organic agriculture organizations to provide consumers with assurance that organic textile products are produced in compliance with stringent environmental and social criteria applied at all levels of production, from the harvesting of natural fibers to subsequent manufacturing stages, up to the labeling of the finished product. GOTS, responding to the strong demand for common production criteria from the textile and clothing industry and distribution, has obtained widespread international recognition that allows those who produce and sell organic textile products to have access to a certification accepted in all major markets.