If you want truly organic and sustainable kids’ clothing, look for GOTS-certified fabrics.
While OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 checks that finished textiles are safe to wear, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) goes much deeper – covering the entire production chain, from organic farming and chemical safety to fair working conditions and environmental protection.
In short: OEKO-TEX = safe to wear, GOTS = safe for your child and the planet.

Why certifications matter in kids’ clothing

Did you know cotton takes up only about 2% of global farmland but uses roughly 25% of the world’s pesticides?
That’s a lot of chemicals – and none of us want them anywhere near our children’s skin.

That’s why textile certifications exist: to help parents tell the difference between “less harmful” and “truly sustainable.”
The most common ones you’ll see are GOTS and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 — but they’re not the same thing.

Let’s unpack the key differences.

1. Chemical safety: what’s really allowed?

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

• Bans all toxic, carcinogenic, and environmentally harmful chemicals.

• No GMOs, no heavy metals, no dangerous dyes – not even in the machine oil used for sewing.

• Follows a “no hazard in, no hazard out” principle: nothing harmful enters the production process.

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

• Allows some chemicals, as long as they stay below strict limits.

• These limits vary by product type (for example, baby clothes have tighter standards than adult items).

• Only tests for a defined list of substances – meaning not every chemical used in textile production is covered.

2. Environmental responsibility

GOTS

• Requires wastewater treatment, reduced emissions, and proper waste management.

• Focuses on reducing the entire ecological footprint, not just the end product.

• Prohibits the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.

OEKO-TEX

• Has no specific environmental rules.

• Focuses solely on the chemical safety of the final fabric.

3. Social and ethical standards

GOTS

• Demands fair wages, safe working conditions, and a ban on child and forced labour.

• Audits the entire supply chain.

OEKO-TEX

• Does not include social criteria.

• A company could meet OEKO-TEX standards even without fair labour practices.

4. What’s actually tested?

GOTS kids clothing

• Every step is checked: from organic fibre to dyeing and sewing.

• Guarantees no harmful residues make it into the final piece.

OEKO-TEX clothing

• Tests the final product only.

• Ensures chemical levels are below international safety limits.

5. The grey area: OEKO-TEX fabric classes

Not all OEKO-TEX fabrics are created equal.
The label has different product classes:

• Class I: for babies and toddlers up to 3 years – the strictest limits.

• Class II: for items with direct skin contact (like T-shirts or leggings).

👉 Many small brands use OEKO-TEX fabrics, but not always Class I.
That means the fabric might be tested for adults – not for babies.

Why Babbily chooses GOTS-certified fabrics

At Babbily, we’re not (yet) a fully certified GOTS company — but we only work with certified suppliers and use GOTS-certified fabrics for our organic kidswear.

That means:

• ✅ No harmful chemicals

• ✅ Reduced environmental impact

• ✅ Fair and transparent production in Europe

Because real sustainability doesn’t stop at the fabric label – it starts with responsibility at every step.

Tips when shopping for sustainable kidswear

• Look for GOTS-certified fabrics or brands.

• If it’s OEKO-TEX®, check it’s Class I for babies.

• Always wash new clothes before wearing – even organic ones.

• Support small transparent brands that explain their sourcing and production, not just those who show a label.

Quick reference: EU chemical safety limits (REACH)

The bottom line

If you want safe, sustainable, and ethically made children’s clothing, GOTS is the gold standard.
It protects your child’s skin, the people who make the clothes, and the environment they’ll grow up in.

At Babbily, we believe in clothing that lasts — made from organic, fair, and toxin-free fabrics your kids can play, climb, and live in with confidence.