Six pillow material certifications you should be aware of are: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Responsible Down Standard (RDS), CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and GREENGUARD. These certifications help ensure that pillows are made with ethically sourced, sustainable materials and are free of harmful chemicals.
1. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
GOTS requires textiles to contain more than 95% certified organic fiber and prohibits the use of raw materials and chemicals harmful to the human body, such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, toxic solvents, and pigments that can cause allergies.
GOTS is one of the strictest certifications in the textile industry, covering all stages, from the organic farming process to manufacturing and packaging. Furthermore, GOTS also takes into account social responsibility and environmental protection.
GOTS-certified pillow material offers reliable, healthier options for consumers, with higher standards of organic fiber.
2. Organic Content Standard (OCS)
The OCS, issued by the U.S.-based non-profit organization Textile Exchange, applies to all non-food products containing between 5% and 100% organic materials. The OCS conducts inspections and audits of the product quality system, organic production planning, and risk control of the organic production process.
As a certification that tracks the process from the source of the raw material to the final product, OCS certification can demonstrate the proportion of organic raw materials present in the final products.
Differences between OCS and GOTS:
GOTS certification covers three dimensions: production management, environmental protection, and social responsibility. OCS certification focuses primarily on production management.
The certification objectives are different: OCS certification focuses on non-food products made from organic materials, while GOTS certification is limited to textiles made from organic fibers.
To obtain GOTS certification, a product must contain at least 70% organic fiber, while products containing more than 5% recognized organic matter can obtain OCS certification.
3. Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
The RDS focuses on the humane protection of animals and aims to protect them from unnecessary harm throughout the down and feather supply chain. Through the RDS, companies can demonstrate to their customers that they apply humane practices when sourcing raw materials for their products.
For animal lovers and humane individuals, pillows filled with RDS-certified down and feathers are more convenient options.
4. Cotton LEADS
The Cotton LEADS certification program was jointly launched by the U.S. and Australian cotton industries with the goal of leading the sustainable sourcing and production of cotton in the global supply chain.
The United States and Australia have led the way in water use, pest control, soil protection, and energy efficiency, making Cotton LEADS one of the most stringent and trusted standards in the cotton industry.
5. eco-INSTITUT (ECO)
ECO is one of the most prestigious certifications in the latex industry. Latex pillows with the eco-INSTITUT label have a low content of hazardous substances and are healthier for the human body.
Although ECO is not directly related to the quality of latex products, it does allow you to verify the proportion of organic latex a product contains; only products made with 100% natural latex can carry the ECO label.
6. Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
GOLS is a certification from the Global Control Union Group for non-food latex products and is the world's first global organic latex standard.
It's similar to GOTS, but is aimed at latex products, including pillows. Since its launch in 2006, GOTS has become a widely accepted and recognized certification in the latex industry.
