#Sustainability

2025-04-24

GTB - Shaping a more transparent, data-driven future together

The Global Trace-Base (GTB) is more than just a centralised data system — it’s a powerful tool designed to deliver unmatched traceability, transparency, and integrity. Developed by Global Standard gGmbH, GTB will collect and manage data on certified entities and certified products, as well as carry “value added” data for the products being tracked through the supply chain.

At Global Standard gGmbH, a mission-driven non-profit organization, the goal isn’t profit — it’s impact. The Global Trace-Base (GTB) is being developed to provide greater traceability, transparency, and integrity, helping you drive meaningful change through smarter data capture, analysis, and reporting. By adding GTB as a powerful data system to GOTS and future Standards of Global Standard, they are jointly increasing their effort to create more transparent and impactful supply chains.

Global Standard gGmbH is fully committed to operating GTB solely on a cost-recovery principle. While it may be inevitable that fees adjust over time to reflect evolving operational needs, they are strictly aligned with the actual costs of running and maintaining the system — with no profit element involved. Fees shall be reviewed regularly to ensure that users continue to receive maximum value.

The GTB fees have been determined as follows:

Fee - Current - Effective

GTB Scope Certificate (SC) Fee - € 15 - 1st December 2024

GTB Transaction Certificate (TC) Fee - € 3 - 1st July 2025 [1]

The fees are applicable to certificates generated (or retrospectively backfilled) by Certification Bodies:

• Directly to the GTB Portal / Interface

• System-to-System via API

• Manually imported, i.e. csv, xml

The Certification Bodies are responsible to collect the GTB SC & TC Fees on behalf of Global Standard gGmbH. Global Standard gGmbH will not charge additional fees for any SC issued before December 1, 2024 and any TC issued before July 1, 2025.

The GTB SC Fee is applicable for every new or renewed SC issued by Certification Bodies.

The GTB TC Fee is applicable for each TC issued by Certification Bodies since it was run through the system, even if it is later cancelled or invalidated.

Fees are NOT applicable for revisions/modifications of existing, valid, current certificates.

[1] Estimated date dependent on volume reconciliation 1st release

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.

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

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.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.