Explainer
Crib mattress certifications, explained: what each label actually covers
Organic crib mattresses carry a row of certification logos. Each one answers a different question: what the materials are, what the mattress gives off into the air, or what it was screened for. None of them is a sleep standard.
This page explains each certification from the standards body's own description, except EWG Verified, whose own page we could not read, then shows which of the five crib mattresses we cover list it.
At a glance
Which crib mattress lists which
| Certification | What it covers | Avocado Organic | Avocado Eco Organic | Naturepedic, all three |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOTS | Organic textiles | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| GOLS | Organic latex | Listed | Not in its certification list, though its materials name a GOLS certified latex infused coconut husk pad | Not listed |
| GREENGUARD Gold | Low chemical emissions | Listed | Listed for the innerspring unit | Listed |
| MADE SAFE | Screening against a banned and restricted list | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I | Harmful substances in textiles, babies class | Listed | Listed | Not listed |
| EWG Verified | Not described here, because we could not read EWG's own definition | Listed | Listed | Listed |
Avocado also lists UL Formaldehyde-Free Claim Verified on its Organic Crib Mattress. Naturepedic also lists PETA-Approved Vegan, UL Non-Detectable PFAS Validated and UL Formaldehyde Free validated. "Not listed" means the brand's product page did not list it on the day we checked.
One by one
What each certification covers
GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard
Certifies organic textiles such as cotton and wool. A product labelled "organic" under GOTS contains at least 95 percent certified organic fibres. A "made with x% organic materials" label means 70 to 94 percent.
On a crib mattress, GOTS covers the textile parts the brand names, such as the cotton cover, the fill or the wool.
Source: GOTS labelling page
GOLS, the Global Organic Latex Standard
A materials and processing standard for organic latex and finished latex foam. Naturepedic states that, to be labelled GOLS certified, latex must be at least 95 percent certified organic raw material by weight, while the Control Union page for the standard itself states no percentage.
It only applies where a mattress contains latex, which is why it appears on the Avocado models.
Source: Naturepedic's GOLS page, which points to Control Union
UL GREENGUARD Gold
Certifies that a product has been tested and evaluated to meet strict chemical emissions limits. UL describes Gold as a stricter tier, with even lower emission levels and a low limit on formaldehyde.
It is about what a product gives off into indoor air. It says nothing about firmness or materials.
Source: UL Solutions
MADE SAFE
Screens a product against its Banned / Restricted List, which it says covers more than 15,000 substances. Companies must disclose all known added substances for review, and every substance must pass for the seal to be granted.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class I
Tests textiles for harmful substances, including banned azo colorants and per-fluorinated substances, and covers substances that are not yet regulated. Product class I is for babies and small children up to 3 years.
Source: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 factsheet
EWG Verified
EWG Verified is a mark from the Environmental Working Group. We could not read EWG's own description of it when we checked on November 7, 2026, so we do not describe what it requires. Both Avocado models and all three Naturepedic models list it on their product pages.
Source: EWG Verified
Read carefully
What these certifications do not cover
None of these certifications is a sleep standard. They describe materials, emissions or screening. Whether a crib mattress meets the required size and fit is a separate question, answered by the federal crib mattress standard, 16 CFR part 1241. Our guide to the federal standard explains it.
A certification also covers only what it names. GOTS on a crib mattress may cover the cover and fill, not a polyethylene foam core or steel coils. GREENGUARD Gold on the Avocado Eco Organic is listed for its innerspring unit. Read the brand's page for exactly what each certificate applies to.
We do not describe any mattress as non-toxic or chemical free. Those are broad claims, and the certifications above are more specific than that.
Decide
How to use the labels
- If you want organic latexAvocado OrganicGOLS certified organic latex and coconut husk, with GOTS certified organic wool and cotton.
- If you want a textile test set for babiesEither Avocado modelBoth list OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I, the class for babies and small children up to 3 years.
- If you want no animal materialsNaturepedicNaturepedic lists PETA-Approved Vegan on its crib mattresses. Both Avocado models contain organic wool.
- If you want long terms as wellCompare trials and warrantiesCertifications say nothing about how long you have to return a mattress.
More in our crib mattress guides: Best organic crib mattresses, Avocado vs Naturepedic crib mattress, Crib mattress trials and warranties, The federal crib mattress standard.
Common questions
Questions parents ask
Does GOTS mean the whole crib mattress is organic?
Not on its own. GOTS certifies textiles, and on a crib mattress it covers the textile parts the brand names. A mattress can also contain parts outside its scope, such as foam, waterproofing or steel coils.
Why do the Naturepedic mattresses not list GOLS?
GOLS is for latex. Naturepedic lists no latex in its crib mattress materials, although one section of its pages mentions organic latex foam. That conflict is noted in our comparison.
Is GREENGUARD Gold a safety certification?
It is an emissions certification. UL says it means a product meets strict chemical emissions limits, with lower limits for Gold. It does not cover firmness, fit or materials.
Does a certification mean the mattress meets the federal standard?
No. The federal crib mattress standard is a separate, mandatory rule. Both brands we cover state that their crib mattresses meet it.
Are these certifications checked by this site?
No. We list what each brand's product page showed on November 7, 2026, and explain each certification from its own body's page.
The short version
Organic latex and textiles certified: Avocado Organic
GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD Gold, MADE SAFE, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I and EWG Verified, plus UL Formaldehyde-Free Claim Verified. If you want no animal materials or longer terms, the Naturepedic Classic lists PETA-Approved Vegan and gives a 100 night trial.
- GOTS and GOLS
- GREENGUARD Gold
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I