Global Standard, the non-profit organization behind the widely recognized GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), has introduced a new voluntary standard called the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). GRTS aims to expand GOTS’s values—health, ecology, fairness, and care—to a broader set of certified fibres beyond organic materials.
The new standard will allow companies that use non-organic but certified sustainable fibres to demonstrate environmental and social responsibility without needing separate certification systems. GRTS will use the same trusted and rigorous certification infrastructure that GOTS employs, covering social compliance, environmental criteria, and traceability.
One of the core features of GRTS is its emphasis on transparency. All fibre inputs must be registered in the Global Fibre Registry, ensuring traceability from raw material to finished product. The standard strictly prohibits child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and ensures safe and fair working conditions for all employees involved in the supply chain.
Environmental requirements under GRTS include strict chemical usage limits and the implementation of sustainable processes across production. The use of GMO-based fibres is banned; only independently verified non-GMO fibres are allowed.
Companies must conduct risk assessments, establish mitigation plans, and follow due diligence practices in line with responsible business conduct principles. Certification under GRTS will be conducted by approved third-party bodies already authorized for GOTS.
Public consultation on the GRTS standard began in July 2025 and will remain open through mid-August, inviting feedback from industry stakeholders, NGOs, and consumers. The first official version, GRTS 1.0, is expected to be published in the last quarter of 2025.
This new initiative is seen as a natural extension of GOTS, helping certified firms expand into new fibre categories without duplicating audits or administrative burdens. GRTS offers the textile industry a unified, reliable, and scalable tool to meet increasing regulatory demands and market expectations around responsible sourcing and sustainable production.
