Generally, third-party certification programs go above and beyond legal standards for organic products. They’re a way for producers and manufacturers to prove to the consumer they’ve created a product that far exceeds the bare minimum for organic certification. That being said, GOTS sometimes uses NOP (National Organic Program) to ensure raw materials are organically grown. The fibers used in GOTS-certified products must be certified organic. In the US, NOP is the entity that oversees how organic plant and animal products are raised. GOTS takes over at harvest, regulating how textile materials are collected, processed, dyed, and spun. The area where GOTS goes beyond what the federal government can do is its social and environmental regulations. The US government only has jurisdiction to regulate on US soil, so its powers to prevent companies from using unethical practices offshore are limited. However, since compliance with GOTS standards is voluntary and based on the desire for certification, GOTS certifying bodies can ensure companies obey its environmental and social rules regardless of the country in which the fabric is processed by withholding certification if they don’t comply.