You have probably seen both labels on baby sheets and assumed they mean roughly the same thing. They do not. GOTS certifies how the fabric was grown and processed, from the cotton field through the finished textile. OEKO-TEX certifies that the finished product tests free of harmful chemicals, regardless of how the fiber was grown. A sheet can carry either label, both, or neither, and knowing the difference actually changes what you are paying for.

What Does GOTS Actually Certify?

GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It is the leading certification for organic textiles, and it does not just look at the finished fabric; it tracks the entire supply chain. To carry the GOTS label, a product must contain at least 70 percent certified organic fiber, grown without synthetic pesticides or GMOs.

From there, GOTS also governs the processing stage. Toxic dyes, chlorine bleach, and certain chemical finishes are prohibited, and certified facilities must meet wastewater treatment and labor standards. In short, GOTS is a claim about the entire journey a fabric takes, not just the final result.

What Does OEKO-TEX Actually Certify?

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 works differently. It does not look at how a fiber was farmed at all. Instead, it tests the finished product, every component including fabric, thread, and dyes, for more than 1000 substances that could pose a health risk, including formaldehyde, heavy metals, and restricted dyes. Because it tests the finished item rather than the farming method, it applies to any fiber type, cotton, polyester, bamboo, or a blend. For a full breakdown of what OEKO-TEX Class 1 specifically tests for, our OEKO-TEX certified baby sheets guide goes deeper on each substance category.

That also means the reverse is true. A completely conventionally farmed cotton sheet, grown with standard pesticides, can still earn OEKO-TEX certification, as long as the finished fabric tests clean.

Do You Need Both, or Is One Enough?

Neither certification replaces the other because they do not answer the same question. If organic sourcing specifically matters to you, GOTS is the label that verifies it. If your main concern is what is actually touching your baby's skin regardless of where the fiber came from, OEKO-TEX addresses that directly. Some brands hold both, some hold one, and plenty of uncertified products claim similar things with no independent testing behind them at all. For more on how fabric choice affects fit and feel beyond certification, our jersey cotton crib sheets comparison covers that side of the decision.

Which Certification Does Joey + Joan Hold?

Joey + Joan jersey cotton sheets are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1 certified, the strictest tier, reserved for products in direct, prolonged skin contact with infants and young children. That means every sheet is independently tested for formaldehyde, restricted dyes, heavy metals, pH, and PFAS.

We are not currently GOTS certified. That means we are not making a verified organic farming claim about the cotton itself, and we want to be upfront about that rather than let the two certifications blur together. If organic sourcing is a specific priority for you, look for the GOTS label with a checkable certificate number, not just the word organic on the packaging.

What Do the Different Labels Mean?

Here’s how to read the labels. 

Two Different Questions, Two Different Labels

GOTS and OEKO-TEX are not competing versions of the same claim; they are answers to two different questions: where did this fiber come from, and is the finished product safe against your baby's skin? Knowing which one you are looking at on a label helps you shop for what actually matters to you.

Joey + Joan sheets are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1 certified, tested for the substances that matter most for a baby's sensitive skin. You can browse the collection here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OEKO-TEX certification mean a product is organic?

No. OEKO-TEX tests the finished product for harmful substances but does not require or verify that the fiber was organically grown.

Does GOTS certification guarantee chemical safety on its own?

GOTS prohibits many toxic chemicals during processing, but pairing it with OEKO-TEX testing on the finished product gives the most complete picture.

Can a product be GOTS certified without also being OEKO-TEX certified?

Yes. The two certifications are independent of each other, so a brand can hold one, both, or neither.

How can I verify a certification is real?

Ask for the specific certificate number and check it against the certifying body's public database rather than trusting a logo alone.

Is either certification legally required for baby sheets?

No. Both are voluntary, third-party certifications that brands choose to pursue, not government requirements.

Sources

1. GOTS - How the programme works -  How the GOTS certifications work, what standards they guarantee, and what stages of manufacture they cover.
2. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: the original safety standard - The main page of the certification that provides an overview of what it covers.