#Sustainability

2024-07-11

Global Standard to develop new standard, expanding GOTS benefits to sustainable fibres

Since 2006, the self-funded non-profit Global Standard has set the benchmark for environmental and social criteria through its Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Building on nearly two decades of success, Global Standard is excited to announce the development of a groundbreaking new standard to expand GOTS benefits to a wider range of sustainable fibers.

The new standard will not replace GOTS as the leading organic standard but will allow the industry to apply the successful GOTS framework to other sustainable fibers. This expansion aims to further enhance lives and the environment, aligning with the organization's vision. GOTS is renowned for its comprehensive coverage of environmental, social, and ethical criteria, significantly exceeding national or international legislative requirements. The introduction of this additional standard marks a strategic evolution, providing compliance support for a broader range of sustainable fibers.

Seamless Integration with GOTS Principles

The new sustainability standard will synergize with the existing GOTS standard, sharing core principles that have made GOTS a hallmark of responsible and trustworthy processing in the textile industry. These principles include:

+ Human Rights and Social Criteria: Upholding fair labor practices and social responsibility, including the prohibition of child labor, discrimination, harassment, and violence.

+ Ecological Criteria: Prioritizing environmentally friendly processes and materials.

+ Due Diligence: Ensuring the implementation of standard criteria through diligent practices.

+ Traceability: Guaranteeing transparent tracking and volume reconciliation of materials throughout the value chain.

+ Third-Party Certification: Validating compliance through independent certification bodies.

+ Comprehensive Coverage: Addressing all stages of processing.

Building upon existing tools

The new standard will leverage existing tools established by Global Standard for GOTS, such as the Global Fibre Registry and the Global Trace-Base for tracing product value chains and impact evaluation. It will adopt criteria that help companies demonstrate adherence to supply chain regulations for a broader range of sustainable fibers.

What’s next?

Once the respective committees in Global Standard agree on the first draft, the standard will undergo a public consultation procedure as per ISEAL requirements. "We trust that the process will advance in the same agile manner that the industry has grown to expect from GOTS and its criteria," say Claudia Kersten and Rahul Bhajekar, managing directors of Global Standard.

Global Standard remains committed to driving positive change in the textile industry, addressing evolving market needs, and promoting sustainability throughout the value chain. This initiative aims to empower the industry to meet sustainable development goals.

For more information on how GOTS contributes to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, visit GOTS SDG Contribution.

https://global-standard.org/images/resource-library/documents/GOTS-flyers/Why_GOTS_SDG_flyer_web_2020.pdf

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.