“The increasing demand for responsible and transparent supply chains requires auditors to have a deep understanding of human rights due diligence and its application in textile certification,” said Ruslan Alyamkin, Responsible, Standard Development and Implementation (Social Responsibility) at Global Standard. “With this project, we aim to equip GOTS auditors with the necessary expertise to assess compliance effectively, reinforcing the credibility of GOTS certification.”

Advancing GOTS auditor training: Key project objectives

Uncertainty surrounding evolving regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD), and an overall lack of clarity within the industry about how to implement due diligence effectively can complicate compliance efforts in the textile value chain. This grant will facilitate the creation of the resources necessary for GOTS auditors to carry out their roles more confidently and effectively.

The training initiative will focus on three main objectives:

+ Developing a continuous learning policy for GOTS auditors and creating a structured framework for ongoing professional development.

+ Designing a specialised training curriculum, focusing on equipping auditors with the necessary skills to assess compliance with GOTS Due Diligence Criteria.

+ Conducting a pilot training programme for approximately 30 auditors, incorporating feedback from certification bodies and real-world audit experiences to improve and refine the training approach.

By leveraging best practices in human rights due diligence and incorporating insights from internationally recognised frameworks – including the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for the Garment and Footwear Sector and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – this programme will provide cutting-edge training to ensure auditors are fully prepared to verify due diligence compliance in the textile industry.

Strengthening the GOTS Due Diligence Framework

Global Standard has developed its own Due Diligence Framework, which comprises GOTS, the Manual for the Implementation of GOTS, the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Certified Entities and the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors. This project is a significant step in enhancing the GOTS Due Diligence Framework, ensuring that GOTS-certified entities meet evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations.

“With mandatory human rights due diligence laws becoming more prevalent and setting higher standards for corporate accountability, the role of auditors in verifying compliance is more crucial than ever,” added Alyamkin.

Acknowledgement of funding support

This project is supported by a grant from the ISEAL Innovations Fund, with funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The contents of this announcement do not imply official endorsement by ISEAL or SECO.

The project will be implemented in cooperation with UpRights, an organisation focused on the promotion of human rights.