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| Decision field | Open accessEU VIES VAT Number ValidationEuropean UnionRemove | Open accessGOTS Certified SuppliersGlobalRemove | Free + paidCommon ObjectiveGlobalRemove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision fit | |||
| Primary job | Check standards | Check standards | Source production |
| Area | Standards | Materials | Production |
| Best for | Checking an EU supplier's stated VAT number and saving the dated validation response as one identity and invoicing control | Checking GOTS certification records | Finding sustainability-focused suppliers and guidance |
| Know before using | A valid VAT number is not proof of manufacturing capability, facility ownership, authorized bank instructions, product origin, tax advice, quality, capacity, certification, labor conditions, or delivery; names and addresses may not be returned for every country, and temporary database outages occur. | A company result is not a blanket approval; confirm the certificate scope, validity, facility, process, product, and transaction documentation for the exact purchase. | A profile, match, uploaded credential, training credit, award, or platform ranking is not independent certification of a supplier or proof of current capability, performance, impact, capacity, or project fit. The platform's own ranking inputs and paid visibility affect discovery. Verify credentials with the issuer and check the legal entity, production site, claims, samples, references, terms, and compliance directly. |
| Practical access | |||
| For | Apparel brands | Apparel brands | Apparel brands |
| Location or jurisdiction | European Union | Global | Global |
| Access | Open access | Open access | Free + paid |
| Format | Reference | Directory | Marketplace |
| Source type | Official registry | Official registry | Commercial marketplace |
| Source and review | |||
| What the source establishes | VIES is the European Commission's online VAT Information Exchange System interface for querying national VAT databases to determine whether a submitted number is valid for intra-EU cross-border trade at the time of the request. | The official GOTS search exposes certified entities by country, field of operation, product category, and certification detail, including processing and trading scopes. | Common Objective currently offers free individual and business profiles, personalised matches, supplier and content search, and limited monthly connection requests. Paid tiers unlock unlimited connections, additional content, training credits, and the CO Create sourcing workflow. Businesses enter their own profile information and upload certification or membership evidence; profile completeness, sustainability material, training credits, awards, and paid capabilities can influence visibility or ranking. |
| Linked page reviewed | Jul 15, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Next review due | Oct 13, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 |
| Inspect | |||
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