The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 8.0 has been officially released in March 2026. The product of the standard’s three-year revision cycle, GOTS 8.0 will become effective for all certified entities and approved chemical inputs beginning 1 March 2027. The transition period starts from the date of release and lasts one year, with early adoption permitted and encouraged prior to the effective date.
The new version introduces mandatory due diligence processes aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains, along with new governance requirements for certified entities. Requirements for air emissions and waste management have been strengthened and product safety criteria have been updated. New provisions have also been added covering circularity, microfibre management, and residue testing. A notable addition is the introduction of circularity requirements that allow certified products to remain within GOTS certification through repair, resale, and other circular business models.
Significant updates have also been made in the area of chemical requirements. The GOTS Manufacturing Restricted Substances List has been defined as a dedicated section, including clarified limits for free aniline in indigo dyes. Version 8.0 also strengthens PFAS controls through tightened limits and updated testing procedures, introduces an endocrine disruptor assessment aligned with EU legislation, and updates GMO verification testing for confirming non-GMO cotton fibres.
GOTS 8.0 is the outcome of a rigorous preparation process conducted in accordance with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice, encompassing two rounds of public consultation and a multi-stakeholder Standard Revision Committee. Shaped through broad industry participation, this revision reflects the standard’s commitment to transparency and accountability. With all audits and assessments to be conducted under the new version from 1 March 2027 onwards, and the next revision scheduled for 2029, GOTS 8.0 will serve as the defining reference framework for organic textile certification over the next three years.
