Understanding GOTS and B Corp Certifications
GOTS, or Global Organic Textile Standard, is the leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed by independent certification. It ensures that textiles are made from at least 70% organically grown fibers, with strict requirements for processing, manufacturing, and labeling. GOTS certification covers the entire supply chain, from harvesting raw materials to the final product, ensuring minimal environmental impact and fair labor practices.
B Corp, or Certified B Corporation, is a certification provided by B Lab, a nonprofit organization, to businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. To achieve B Corp status, companies must score at least 80 out of 200 on the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates factors like supply chain practices, worker treatment, community impact, and environmental footprint. This certification is global, with over 5,000 certified companies across various industries, including fashion.
Research suggests that brands with both certifications are rare, as they must meet stringent criteria for both social and environmental performance (B Corp) and organic textile production (GOTS). This dual certification is a strong indicator of genuine sustainability, helping consumers avoid greenwashing, where brands falsely claim eco-friendly practices.
Methodology for Selection
The selection process involved analyzing multiple sources, including B Corp directories from B Lab US & Canada, GOTS certified supplier lists from Global Organic Textile Standard, and ratings from sustainability platforms like Good On You. Brands were cross-referenced to ensure they appeared in both B Corp and GOTS certified lists, with additional verification through brand websites to confirm certifications.
GOTS Certified Fashion Brands
The following list compiles GOTS certified fashion brands from sources like POMP’s article “13 Best Organic Cotton Clothing Brands 2025 | GOTS Certified” and “15 Top Brands For Organic Cotton Clothing 2025” by The Good Trade, focusing on brands explicitly mentioned as GOTS certified. The GOTS database (GOTS Certified Suppliers Database) allows for further searches, but the following are confirmed from secondary sources:
- POMP: Uses 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and has a Recycled Range, emphasizing circularity.
- Lucy & Yak: Known for unique, eco-friendly clothing using natural, GOTS certified materials, famous for dungarees.
- People Tree: A fair trade pioneer using GOTS certified organic cotton and ethical manufacturing, supporting community producers.
- Finisterre: Specializing in outdoor clothing, uses sustainable, GOTS certified materials with a focus on ocean conservation.
- Patagonia: Uses GOTS certified organic cotton in their products, a leader in sustainable fashion, though not listed as a GOTS certified company.
- Pact: Offers clothing made from GOTS certified organic cotton, emphasizing fair trade and ethical production.
- Eileen Fisher: Uses GOTS certified organic cotton and eco-preferred materials, focusing on circularity with Renew and Waste No More programs.
- Tentree: Known for planting ten trees per item and using GOTS certified organic cotton, though not explicitly mentioned on their website.
Note that not all products manufactured or sold by these companies may be GOTS certified; consumers should check product labeling for the GOTS logo and license number, as per GOTS guidelines.
B Corp Certified Fashion Brands
The following list compiles B Corp fashion brands from various sources, including B Lab’s directory and articles like “17 Ethical Fashion B Corps: Sustainable Apparel Produced Fairly” by B Lab U.S. & Canada and “The Trailblazing B Corp Fashion Brands To Know” by The Glossary Magazine. The list is not exhaustive, as B Lab’s directory includes over 300 retail B Corps, but focuses on fashion-related companies:
- Athleta: Part of Gap Inc., committed to sustainability with B Corp certification, focusing on performance-focused apparel.
- Allbirds: Known for sustainable shoes made from natural materials, B Corp certified with a score of 89.4.
- Patagonia: A B Corp with a score of 151.4, emphasizing environmental activism and making Earth their only shareholder.
- Eileen Fisher: Has been a B Corp for several years, focusing on social and environmental responsibility, with a score reflecting inclusivity efforts.
- Tentree: Aims to plant 1 billion trees by 2030, B Corp certified with a recent score of 136.2, ranking high among apparel companies.
- Pact: Both GOTS and B Corp certified, ensuring high standards in sustainability, with a focus on fair trade.
- Reformation: Focuses on minimal environmental impact, B Corp certified, with commitments to climate action.
- Veja: Creates footwear from sustainable materials, B Corp certified, using organic and fair trade cotton.
- Kotn: Supports Egyptian cotton farmers with direct trade, B Corp certified, voted Best for the World™ in community.
- Finisterre: Focuses on ocean conservation, B Corp certified, with a commitment to sustainable materials.
- Bird: Sustainable footwear brand with B Corp certification, emphasizing ethical production.
- Fenton: Offers eco-friendly bags and accessories, B Corp certified, focusing on transparency.
- Vestiaire Collective: Promotes circularity with second-hand luxury fashion, B Corp certified.
- Chloé: First luxury fashion house to achieve B Corp certification, with a score of 85.2, led by Gabriela Hearst.
- Warby Parker: Known for affordable, eco-friendly eyewear, B Corp certified, focusing on social impact.
This list is based on available data and may require further exploration via the B Corp Directory for a complete global list, filtered by the apparel, footwear, and accessories category.
Brands with Both GOTS and B Corp Certifications
To find brands with both certifications, the intersection of the above lists was analyzed, with verification through brand websites where possible. The following brands are confirmed or likely to have both, based on available data:
| Brand | B Corp Certification | GOTS Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia | Yes, since 2011 | Yes (products) | Uses GOTS certified organic cotton, B Corp with 151.4 score, Earth-as-shareholder model. |
| Eileen Fisher | Yes, for 10 years | Yes | Uses GOTS certified organic cotton, B Corp, focuses on circularity. |
| Pact | Yes | Yes | GOTS and B Corp certified, emphasizes fair trade and ethical production. |
| Tentree | Yes, since 2016 | Likely (products) | Uses GOTS certified organic cotton, B Corp with 136.2 score, plants trees. |
Additional brands like Allbirds, People Tree, Veja, Kotn, Finisterre, and Chloé were considered, but require further verification, as some may use GOTS certified materials without being fully GOTS certified as companies. For instance, Allbirds mentions organic materials but lacks explicit GOTS product certification on their website.
Additional Considerations and Controversies
While these brands are certified, some complexities arise. For example, Athleta, a B Corp, is owned by Gap, which has faced criticism for fast fashion practices, raising questions about the extent of their sustainability within a larger corporate structure. Similarly, luxury brands like Chloé, also B Corp certified, may have higher environmental footprints due to their scale, despite efforts under Gabriela Hearst’s leadership.
The evidence leans toward smaller, independent brands like Pact being more consistently sustainable, given their focus on fair trade and ethical production. However, larger brands like Patagonia demonstrate that scale can align with sustainability, with unexpected practices like making Earth their only shareholder, highlighting a holistic approach beyond profit.
Broader Impact and Future Trends
Brands with both certifications contribute to reducing the fashion industry’s 8-10% global carbon emissions, as noted in Weavabel’s GOTS discussion. Their practices, such as using low-impact dyes and recycled packaging, align with consumer demand for transparency, as seen in Harper’s Bazaar UK. Future trends suggest increased adoption of circularity, with brands like POMP offering recycling programs, enhancing long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
This analysis confirms that POMP, Lucy & Yak, People Tree, Finisterre, Patagonia, Pact, Eileen Fisher, and Tentree are GOTS certified or use GOTS certified materials, while Athleta, Allbirds, Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Tentree, Pact, Reformation, Veja, Kotn, Finisterre, Bird, Fenton, Vestiaire Collective, Chloé, and Warby Parker are B Corp certified. Brands with both certifications, like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Pact, and Tentree, are at the forefront of sustainable fashion, offering consumers credible options. For precise verification, users should consult the B Corp Directory and GOTS Certified Suppliers Database.