STUTTGART – Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is developing a new standard aimed at encompassing a wider range of fibres and extending its framework beyond organic textiles.
The new standard, which aims to apply the principles of the GOTS standard, comes in response to industry demand and evolving regulatory requirements.
The new standard will allow for the inclusion of various fibres, including man-made, recycled synthetics, and natural fibres, provided they meet strict sustainability requirements.
Currently, GOTS permits the use of certain synthetic fibres under specific conditions to ensure they meet specified environmental and social standards. These include recycled polyester made from post-consumer waste, up to 10 per cent elastane in fabrics for stretch and comfort, and polypropylene for specific applications where its properties are beneficial.
The core principles of the new standard will align closely with those of GOTS, which include human rights and social criteria, ecological criteria, due diligence, traceability, third-party certification, and comprehensive coverage of all processing stages. These principles am to ensure fair labour practices, prioritise environmentally friendly processes and materials, implement rigorous due diligence, and maintain transparent tracking of materials through the value chain. Compliance will continue to be validated through certification bodies.
Building on the existing tools established for GOTS, such as the Global Fibre Registry and the Global Trace-Base, the new standard will enable companies to demonstrate adherence to supply chain regulations and sustainability criteria. These tools will be adapted to include a broader range of fibres.
Once the initial draft of the new standard is agreed upon by the respective committees within Global Standard, it will undergo a public consultation procedure as required by ISEAL.
