NATURTEXTIL IVN BEST

NATURTEXTIL IVN BEST (short: IVN BEST) is the strictest private-sector eco-textile certification in the world. Founded in 1999, the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry e.V. (IVN, based in Uelzen, Germany) issues a standard deliberately positioned above the globally established GOTS certification. The association's internal slogan is "BEST = GOTS + 10": BEST adds ten further requirements on top.

Key tightenings over GOTS: 100 percent natural fibres from certified organic farming (no elastane or synthetic blends allowed, not even in cuffs), strict ban on heavy-metal dyes, chlorinated compounds, silicones, optical brighteners and flame retardants, no mercerising with caustic soda, no GMO raw material (verified analytically). Social standards at least at ILO Core Convention level, fair-wage clause and regular on-site audits by accredited bodies (IMO, ETKO, ECOCERT and others). Only facilities already GOTS-certified may apply. Consequence: an extremely small pool of certified brands — mostly natural-clothing labels like Hessnatur, Living Crafts, Engel Natur or Waschbaer. For B2B corporate procurement IVN BEST is the most honest argument for "maximum eco", but with a significant price premium.

• "GOTS + 10" — ten additional, tougher criteria beyond GOTS
• 100 % natural fibres from organic farming, no elastane/synthetics
• Bans: silicones, chlorine, optical brighteners, flame retardants, mercerisation
• Analytical GMO screening, ILO social standards, yearly audits