Eco Certifications on Pads: FSC, GOTS, OEKO-TEX — Three Different Promises
FSC, GOTS and OEKO-TEX sound like the same 'green' stamp. They certify completely different things — forest source, organic fiber, and harmful-substance testing. Know which you're actually making, or···
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Introduction
"Is it eco-certified?" gets asked like there's one green stamp. There isn't. The three marks you see on pads — FSC, GOTS, OEKO-TEX — certify different parts of the product, and confusing them is how a brand prints a cert it didn't earn. Here's the clean split.
FSC — the forest, not the pad
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certifies that the wood pulp in the fluff core comes from responsibly managed forests. That's it. It says nothing about the SAP, the plastic backsheet, or whether the pad biodegrades. If your core uses FSC pulp, you can say "FSC-certified pulp" — not "eco pad."
GOTS — the organic fiber
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the one that matters for organic cotton. It checks the cotton from farm through processing, with limits on the chemicals used. A "GOTS-certified organic cotton topsheet" is a real, chain-checked claim. GOTS doesn't certify the whole pad either — just the organic fiber part and its processing.
OEKO-TEX — tested for nasty stuff
- 1STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX is a material safety test: every component is checked for harmful substances (metals, pesticides, formaldehyde, pH). It's about "safe against skin," not "organic" and not "biodegradable." For a skin-contact product, it's a strong, honest signal.
- 2Different from the others. OEKO-TEX proves the finished materials are low-hazard; FSC proves the pulp's forest source; GOTS proves the organic fiber. They stack, they don't overlap.
| Cert | Certifies | Does NOT mean |
|---|---|---|
| FSC | Forest source of pulp | Pad is biodegradable |
| GOTS | Organic fiber + processing | Whole pad is organic |
| OEKO-TEX 100 | Materials low in harmful substances | Organic or compostable |
Frequently asked questions
What does OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 mean for pads?
It means every component of the pad has been tested for harmful substances — heavy metals, pesticides, formaldehyde and similar — and meets skin-contact safety limits. It's a material-safety cert, not a claim about the pad being organic or biodegradable. For a product worn against skin, it's a solid, honest signal.
Is FSC the same as biodegradable?
No. FSC certifies that the wood pulp in the core comes from responsibly managed forests. It says nothing about whether the pad breaks down, and it doesn't cover the SAP or plastic backsheet. "FSC pulp" and "biodegradable pad" are separate claims.
Can a pad have all three certs?
Yes, and they stack cleanly: FSC for the pulp source, GOTS for an organic cotton topsheet, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 for material safety. Together they make a credible eco-credentials story — but still none of them asserts the pad composts. Add a separate, evidence-backed biodegradability claim if you want that on the box.
Build a Certifiable Eco Line
Want real eco credentials instead of greenwash? Tell us which marks your market trusts and we'll spec materials that actually qualify — FSC pulp, GOTS organic topsheet, OEKO-TEX-tested components — and keep the biodegradability claim honest and separate. A defensible quote and cert-ready samples follow.
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