Global Standards, the organisation behind GOTS, establishes new non-profit foundation to strengthen the independent governance of textile sustainability standards
Stuttgart, Germany, 7 July 2026 – Global Standards gGmbH, the nonprofit organisation behind the globally recognised Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), announced a new governance structure designed to support its long-term mission and reinforce organisational autonomy of its Voluntary Sustainability Standards and programmes.
The newly established Global Standards Foundation is the sole shareholder of the operating organisation, which was renamed Global Standards gGmbH. The new structure will ensure that strategic decisions are guided by independent expertise, to support a more sustainable textile sector, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A key feature of the new model is the establishment of a Governing Council as the organisation's strategic governing body. The inaugural Governing Council brings together four new outstanding independent experts alongside nominees from each of the four founding organisations and an independent chair, showcasing a global range of experience and expertise. All serve in a personal capacity, collectively extending Global Standards’ expertise across sustainability, governance, finance, certification and public policy:
- Prof. Dr. Christian Berg, Member of the GLS Bank Investment Committee and of the German Association of the Club of Rome and former Chief Sustainability Architect, SAP
- Pietro Bertazzi, Chief Policy, Projects and Interim Growth Officer at Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
- James Cashmore, former Managing Director, Soil Association
- Tom Chapman, co-CEO, Organic Trade Association
- Herbert Ladwig (Governing Council Founding Chair), Policy & Legal Advisor, Global Standards gGmbH
- Tsuyoshi Maeda, Founder and CEO, Team O-Three Co., Ltd., and Chair, Japan Organic Cotton Association
- Nicole Pälicke, Director, People Wear Organic and Board Member, Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN)
- Georg Schürmann, Chair, UmweltBank Supervisory Board, Member of Supervisory Board, Oikocredit and former Managing Director, Triodos Bank Germany
- Laurence Tanty, former Chair of Fairtrade International Board
The new governance structure draws from more than 20 years of industry leadership and will support Global Standards' evolution to a multi-standard Voluntary Sustainability Standards organisation. Its portfolio today includes the worldwide recognised GOTS and
the new Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), which expands to fibres beyond organic.
As expectations for Voluntary Sustainability Standards and regulatory requirements continue to intensify, the new foundation structure provides an independent governance model designed to meet those expectations while strengthening Global Standards’ ability to serve the textile sector over the long term.
Today, Global Standards is a team of around 50 professionals working around the world with a clear mission: “To ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities.”
This new structure is designed to serve that mission better — giving Global Standards the independence, stability, and accountability it needs to keep delivering meaningful impact across global textile value chains.
About Global Standards Foundation
The Global Standards Foundation is an independent charitable foundation established under German law to provide independent long-term governance and stewardship for by Global Standards gGmbH and its activities. As the sole shareholder of Global Standards gGmbH, the Foundation supports the organisation's mission to drive positive social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related initiatives, including the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS).
About Global Standards gGmbH
Global Standards gGmbH is the nonprofit operating unit behind the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the world's leading processing standard for organic textiles, and the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), which applies the GOTS system to a broader range of responsible fibres. Global Standards is on a mission to ensure the highest level of positive social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities. For more information, visit www.global-standards.org.
About Global Organic Textile Standard
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), owned and operated by non-profit Global Standards gGmbH, is the world's leading processing standard for organic textile, from fibre to finished product. It sets strict environmental, human rights, social and business conduct criteria for the entire textile value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished product. GOTS certification ensures the integrity of finished organic textiles and provides comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. The rules and tools of GOTS certification help businesses
comply with legal regulations while empowering
About Global Responsible Textile Standard
The Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) is a voluntary sustainability standard developed by Global Standards gGmbH, the non-profit operating unit behind the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). GRTS extends the proven GOTS system, including its strict environmental, human rights, social and business conduct criteria for the entire textile value chain, to a broader range of responsible fibres while providing comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. The rules and tools of GRTS certification help businesses comply with legal regulations while empowering them to further exceed requirements. For more information, visit www.global-standards.org.