Global Standard, known for setting the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), is planning to develop a new sustainability standard that will encompass a broader range of sustainable fibers. This initiative aims to extend the application of environmental and social criteria beyond organic textiles, reflecting the industry’s growing diversity and the increasing demand for sustainable products.

The new standard will include not only organic textiles but also recycled and renewable fibers. The fundamental principles of GOTS—such as human rights, fair labor practices, and environmental protection—will remain integral to this new standard.

In developing this standard, Global Standard plans to leverage tools like the Global Fibre Registry and the Global Trace-Base to ensure transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. This development responds to industry needs and regulatory trends, highlighting Global Standard’s strategic evolution in promoting sustainability.

Global Standard’s managing directors, Claudia Kersten and Rahul Bhajekar, emphasized that this initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing sustainability in the textile industry. The development process will include a public consultation, in line with ISEAL requirements, to gather input from various stakeholders, ensuring that the standard reflects industry needs and best practices.

This new sustainability standard will reinforce Global Standard’s leadership in the field and enable more producers to achieve sustainability certification, guiding future sustainability efforts in the textile sector.