#Sustainability

2026-04-30

Number of GOTS-certified facilities grow 15% globally as demand for credible sustainability standards continues to strengthen

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification continued to grow in 2025, with nearly 18,000 certified facilities worldwide, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly evolving regulatory requirements across global textile supply chains.

New figures released today in the 2025 Annual Report for Global Standard, the nonprofit that owns and operates GOTS, show that uptake of robust, independently governed sustainability standards remains a priority for companies seeking to manage risk, substantiate claims and meet rising expectations on transparency and due diligence.

As regulatory frameworks accelerated throughout 2025, scrutiny of supply chains increased and expectations around credible sustainability systems sharpened. Against this backdrop, Global Standard reported steady growth in GOTS certification alongside progress in integrity, digital traceability and alignment with international due diligence frameworks. As the leading system-level Standard, GOTS ensures the credibility of its certified organic textiles across the entire value chain through ever-evolving criteria that extend beyond a single technical, product or facility-level aspect.

“Voluntary sustainability standards are increasingly being used not just to demonstrate intent, but to operationalise complex regulatory and ethical requirements,” said Claudia Kersten, Managing Director of Global Standard. “In a year of significant regulatory change, our focus has been on strengthening systems that are practical, transparent and credible for global textile supply chains.”

Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director of Global Standard, added: “Building on this systems-led approach, the development of GRTS marks an important next step for Global Standard. Together with GOTS, it offers companies a clearer, more coherent way to manage responsibility across different fibres, align with due diligence expectations and strengthen governance and deliver impact across increasingly complex global textile supply chains.”

Advancing due diligence and system integrity

A major milestone during the year was the OECD Due Diligence Alignment Assessment of GOTS, which found 98% of assessed criteria either fully or partially aligned with OECD guidance. The findings positioned GOTS among the most advanced standards evaluated, reflecting its role as a system addressing environmental, human and labour rights risks across the textile value chain.

Investment in digital infrastructure continued to strengthen system integrity and oversight. Tools including Global Trace Base, first mile fibre registries and impact monitoring mechanisms enhanced traceability, data quality and transparency across certified supply chains, while ongoing quality assurance processes supported consistent implementation.

Standard development and regulatory alignment

The revision process for GOTS Version 8.0 progressed throughout 2025, with two public consultations and decisions guided by a multi stakeholder Standard Revision Committee operating in line with ISEAL guidelines. GOTS 8.0 reflects the latest developments in environmental and social responsibility, circular economy principles and regulatory frameworks. The updated Standard was released in March 2026, with mandatory adherence beginning 1 March 2027.

Beyond organic textiles, Global Standard also completed the first public consultation of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) in 2025. GRTS applies the same holistic system-based logic that has made GOTS successful to responsible, non-organic fibres. It establishes a credible baseline for responsible textile processing where organic definitions do not apply, translating scientific and social expectations into direct and verifiable requirements. GRTS is expected to be released in autumn 2026, following a second consultation.

Education, technology and capacity building

Education and capacity building were central to Global Standard’s work in 2025. In response to increasing regulatory and implementation complexity, the organisation expanded training, guidance and knowledge sharing activities for auditors, Certification Bodies and Certified Entities. Key initiatives included the launch of the Global Standard Academy, new due diligence handbooks and targeted auditor training programmes supported by funding from the ISEAL Innovations Fund.

Global Standard also continued to advance its “Space Cotton” pilot, a collaboration with AI firm Marple and the European Space Agency, which uses satellite imagery to map cotton cultivation. Following successful implementation in India, the project expanded to Turkey in 2025, supporting efforts to facilitate certification and increase the availability of certified organic cotton globally.

Looking ahead

Together, GOTS and GRTS will form a unified, systems-level framework to make responsible textile production credible, scalable and workable in practice. Global Standard remains focused on ensuring voluntary sustainability standards deliver measurable impact, operational value and lasting credibility across global textile value chains.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report here:

https://global-standard.org/images/260423_GOTS_Annual_Report_2025.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.

GOTS version 8.0 released: advanced supply chain accountability, from fibre to finished product

Global Standard is pleased to announce the release of GOTS Version 8.0, the latest update to the world's leading processing standard for organic textiles. The updated Standard strengthens requirements for air emissions and waste management, as well as criteria for product safety. It introduces new provisions on circularity, microfibre management and updates in residue testing. Version 8.0 also elevates due diligence obligations and formalises governance requirements, including ESG disclosure, anti-corruption policies and conflict-of-interest safeguards, to support credible, responsible business conduct.

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.