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From Home Furnishing Business
GOTS Wins Civil Action Suit Against Mattress Suppliers
April 27,
2016 by in Industry, Legal, Mattresses, Product 
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has won a civil action in the U.S. District Court of Virginia against three mattress suppliers for unauthorized uses of the GOTS certification trademark on mattresses, including crib mattresses.
The civil lawsuit was resolved with a permanent injunction prohibiting Serta Simmons Bedding, Delta Enterprises Corp., and Dreamwell from using the agency’s certification. GOTS also filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) documenting inaccuracies in the use of the term organic by U.S. companies in connection with textile products.
“The court ruling and the GOTS’ FTC filing will strengthen the ability of retailers and manufacturers selling legitimate organic sleep products to stand out from companies who misrepresent their products as organic,” said Walt Bader, president and founder of Organic Mattresses, Inc. (OMI) “When consumers see mattresses labeled as organic, they believe it. Unfortunately, many companies think they can skirt the requirements.”
In its FTC complaint, GOTS asks the agency to clarify for marketers that third-party certifications in place are recognized by federal agencies. It also encouraged the FTC to monitor and enforce the use of the term organic on textiles not certified by either GOTS or the National Organic Program (NOP) that specifies only textile products produced in compliance with the regulations can be labeled as NOP certified organic and display the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic seal.