If you've ever shopped for children's clothing and found yourself staring at a collection of unfamiliar logos, you're not alone.
Organic cotton. GOTS. OEKO-TEX®. Better Cotton. CE.
It can feel like every brand is promising to be the safest, most sustainable or most ethical choice. But what do these labels actually mean? And which ones should you look for?
At Pip & Mim, we spend a lot of time researching the brands we choose to carry. We believe parents deserve clear, honest information—not marketing buzzwords.
Here's a simple guide to help you understand what these certifications really tell you.
At a glance
| Label | What it tells you | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Cotton | The cotton was grown without synthetic pesticides or GMOs. | More environmentally friendly farming |
| GOTS | Organic fibres plus strict environmental and social standards throughout production. | Overall sustainability and ethical manufacturing |
| OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 | The finished fabric has been tested for harmful substances. | Peace of mind for sensitive skin |
| CE | The product meets European safety requirements (mainly toys and certain children's products). | Product safety |
What is Organic Cotton?
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified seeds.
Compared with conventional cotton farming, organic farming aims to protect soil health, biodiversity and waterways while reducing chemical use.
However, there's an important distinction many people don't realise:
Organic cotton only tells you how the cotton was grown.
It doesn't tell you how the fabric was dyed, processed or manufactured.
A garment made from organic cotton may still have been produced using chemicals during finishing or in factories with varying environmental standards.
That's why many brands choose to go a step further.
What is GOTS?
GOTS stands for the Global Organic Textile Standard, and it's widely considered the gold standard for organic textiles.
To earn GOTS certification, a product must contain organic fibres—but that's only the beginning.
GOTS also looks at:
- Environmentally responsible dyeing and processing
- Restrictions on harmful chemicals
- Wastewater treatment
- Fair working conditions
- Worker safety
- Social responsibility throughout production
In other words, GOTS follows the garment from the cotton field all the way to the finished piece.
If you're looking for one certification that considers both people and the planet, GOTS is one of the strongest available.
What is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100?
OEKO-TEX® answers a different question.
Rather than asking how the garment was made, it asks:
Is this finished product safe to wear?
Every component is tested for hundreds of potentially harmful substances, including:
- Formaldehyde
- Heavy metals
- Certain pesticides
- Harmful dyes
- Other chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin
That includes not only the fabric but also:
- Buttons
- Zips
- Thread
- Labels
- Prints
This makes OEKO-TEX® particularly reassuring for babies and children with sensitive skin.
Can a garment be both GOTS and OEKO-TEX®?
Yes—and many high-quality brands choose both.
The certifications complement each other rather than compete.
GOTS looks at how the textile is produced.
OEKO-TEX® focuses on the safety of the finished product.
A garment carrying both certifications offers reassurance about both responsible production and chemical safety.
Which certification matters most?
The answer depends on what matters most to you.
If your priority is supporting environmentally responsible farming, look for organic cotton.
If you want confidence that the entire production process follows strict environmental and social standards, GOTS is one of the strongest certifications available.
If your main concern is what touches your child's skin, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 provides reassurance that the finished garment has been tested for harmful substances.
Many of our favourite brands combine these approaches wherever possible.
What about CE?
You'll often see the CE mark on toys, teethers and certain children's products.
CE isn't a sustainability certification.
Instead, it shows that the product meets European Union safety requirements and complies with relevant legislation before being sold within Europe.
For clothing, CE generally isn't relevant, but it's an important label for many toys and nursery products.
How we choose brands at Pip & Mim
No single certification tells the whole story.
That's why, when choosing brands for Pip & Mim, we look beyond logos.
We consider:
- Natural, high-quality fibres
- Independent European makers
- Responsible production
- Product safety
- Timeless design made to be loved, worn and passed on
You'll notice that not every brand carries every certification, and that's okay. We believe in understanding the full picture rather than relying on one label alone.
The bottom line
Shopping for children's clothing shouldn't require a degree in textile science.
If there's one thing to remember, it's this:
- Organic Cotton tells you about the farming.
- GOTS tells you about the entire production process.
- OEKO-TEX® tells you the finished garment has been tested for harmful substances.
- CE tells you certain products meet European safety standards.
Understanding what each label means makes it easier to shop with confidence—and to choose the products that best match your family's values.
At Pip & Mim, we carefully curate brands that prioritise quality, thoughtful design and responsible production. Explore our collection of beautifully made children's clothing and discover pieces chosen with childhood in mind.