Supplier Fraud Alert: 3 Ways to Verify Indian Garment Certifications Now?

India’s garment industry supplies billions of dollars’ worth of apparel to the U.S. and EU markets each year. But with rising pressure to meet ESG goals and tariff hikes of up to 38.9%, certification fraud is on the rise—and U.S. buyers are paying the price.

From falsified GOTS labels to expired BSCI audits, fraudulent documentation can lead to customs seizures, lost retail deals, or brand-damaging exposés.

If you’re sourcing from Indian factories in 2025, it’s no longer enough to “see the PDF.” You must verify it. Here are 3 ways to protect your brand, shipments, and reputation from certification fraud—starting today.

Is the GOTS Certificate You Received Authentic and Current?

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is one of the most abused certifications in India’s garment sector. It’s also one of the easiest to verify—if you know where to look.

To confirm whether a GOTS certificate is authentic, always cross-check it against the GOTS public database, including issue date, scope, and certifying body.

How to Verify a GOTS Certificate?

1. Go to the GOTS Certified Suppliers Database
2. Enter the company name exactly as shown on the certificate
3. Check:
   • Scope (does it include the product category?)
   • Validity (is it expired?)
   • Certification body (must be GOTS-approved)
   • License number (must match invoice)

You can also email GOTS directly if anything looks suspicious.

What Are Common GOTS Fraud Tricks?

• Changing the expiry date
• Editing the product scope (e.g., adding “knitwear”)
• Using a real certificate from another factory
• Falsely claiming subcontractor certification

Always demand certificates issued in the name of your actual production facility, not a group HQ or trader.

Can You Confirm That a BSCI or Sedex Audit Was Actually Conducted?

Audits like BSCI and Sedex are meant to ensure labor safety, ethical sourcing, and environmental compliance. But falsified audit reports are now one of the top causes of shipment rejections by U.S. retailers.

To verify, you must either access the official database or request confirmation directly from the auditing body—not from the supplier.

How to Verify BSCI (Amfori) or Sedex Certifications?

• BSCI: Request the DBID number and access via Amfori BSCI Platform
• Sedex: Ask for the ZC number and check audit status through your company’s Sedex login or via partner verification

For deeper checks, ask for:

• Audit summary sheet with findings
• Auditor’s name and local contact
• Audit photos or timestamps

Auditors like Intertek and SGS can also re-verify authenticity if you provide the report ID.

What Are Red Flags to Watch?

• Certificates without logos or watermarks
• Reports that say “Pass” with no corrective actions
• Unusually recent audits after your inquiry
• Inconsistent factory addresses across documents

Always verify the facility address matches what’s on your shipping documents. Fraud often involves presenting another factory’s audit with a similar name.

Can You Trace Recycled Material Claims (GRS, rPET) to the Mill?

With the boom in sustainable fashion, many Indian suppliers now claim to offer recycled polyester (rPET) or Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified fabrics. Unfortunately, many of these claims are unverifiable or outright false.

True GRS certification must include chain-of-custody from fiber to yarn to finished fabric—and it must be issued to each supplier in the chain.

How to Verify GRS or rPET Claims?

1. Ask for the Transaction Certificate (TC) from the certifying body

2. Ensure it includes:

   • Your supplier's name
   • Input/output materials
   • Certifying agency (e.g., Control Union)
   • Transaction ID

3. Cross-check with the Textile Exchange database or directly with the certifier.

Blockchain-backed platforms like Retraced or TrusTrace are now used to track rPET claims end-to-end.

What’s the Penalty for False Claims?

U.S. customs may block your shipment, especially if it claims GRS status on the product or packaging. You also risk:

• Retail contract cancellation
• Brand reputation loss
• Penalties under the U.S. Truth in Advertising law

If the supplier can’t give a TC or verify the source mill, the claim is likely not compliant.

Conclusion

In 2025, due diligence isn’t optional—it’s survival. With fraudulent certificates flooding the supply chain, you need real verification, not just PDFs or WhatsApp screenshots.

At Shanghai Fumao, we work with only globally recognized and verifiable certifications. We assist U.S. buyers in cross-checking factory audits, validating textile claims, and organizing blockchain-based documentation for full transparency.

Don’t gamble your compliance on trust. Contact our Business Director Elaine at elaine@fumaoclothing.com and get a verified production partner that helps you sleep better at night.