STUTTGART – The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has been assessed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and found to be “partially aligned” with the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector.
The evaluation, which reviewed 167 criteria under the OECD’s “standards only” alignment process, concluded that GOTS Version 7.0 addresses all six steps of the OECD guidance. Of the criteria assessed, 69 per cent were fully aligned, 29 per cent partially aligned and 2 per cent not aligned.
The final result reflects the OECD’s stringent scoring methodology and places GOTS among the most advanced industry standards assessed to date.
The OECD Due Diligence Guidance is considered one of the most authoritative international frameworks for responsible business conduct in the apparel sector. An endorsement from the OECD, even in partial form, carries considerable weight and may influence how regulators, investors and brands view sustainability standards.
GOTS, developed by the non-profit Global Standard, is one of the most widely used certification systems for organic textiles. It aims to ensure high levels of environmental and social compliance across the textile supply chain, from fibre sourcing to finished garments.
The OECD assessment commended GOTS for addressing the full due diligence process, including risk identification, mitigation and remediation, and for defining expectations on labour rights, environmental protection and supply chain integrity. However, under OECD rules, even small shortfalls in individual criteria can prevent a standard from receiving a “fully aligned” rating.
The GOTS Due Diligence Framework was developed in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and is intended to help textile businesses implement a risk-based approach to human rights and environmental responsibility. The standard is already recognised by several international institutions, including the US Department of Agriculture and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
While the OECD result stops short of full alignment, it nevertheless reinforces GOTS’s standing as a key player among voluntary sustainability standards in the global textile industry.
