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"), the non-profit organisation behind the internationally recognised Global [Organic](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/organic "'Organic' is a regulated term used to distinguish systems of managed production and products derived therefrom that adhere to principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, and which are certified compliant to an organic standard's regulations by an Approved Certification Body.
GOTS defines organic textiles as being made with fibres from organic agriculture systems that are certified to one of the IFOAM Family of Standards, and that are processed in socially and ecologically responsible ways, in alignment with organic principles.
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") ([GOTS](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/gots "The worldwide leading voluntary sustainability standard for the post-harvest textile value chain for certified organic fibres, covering environmental criteria, human rights, social criteria and business conduct.
")), announces the launch of the public consultation period for its new voluntary [sustainability](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/sustainability "In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
") standard: the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). This milestone marks the next phase in Global Standard’s mission to drive the highest levels of social and environmental impact across the textile value chain. **A Natural Evolution: Extending GOTS’ capabilities** Since 2006, GOTS has established itself as the global benchmark for environmentally and socially responsible organic textile production. Today, it is implemented in over 15,000 certified facilities across 87 countries. Trusted by governments, industry bodies, NGOs, and consumers worldwide, GOTS provides credible third-party assurance that organic textiles are produced to the highest standards of environmental integrity and social responsibility. Building on this robust foundation, the new GRTS aims to extend the same principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care to a broader range of fibres. While GOTS remains the global benchmark for organic textiles, GRTS will enable companies using other responsible fibres to credibly demonstrate both environmental and social performance under the same trusted system. **Why GRTS? Meeting Market and Regulatory Demand** GRTS is Global Standard’s response to the tightening global regulatory landscape and increasing demands for value chain transparency and accountability. Like GOTS, GRTS will support businesses in meeting and exceeding compliance requirements while reinforcing their commitment to responsible sourcing. Many GOTS-certified entities already process fibres that fall outside the scope of organic. With GRTS, these companies can now extend rigorous certification to those materials without duplicating effort or introducing complex new systems. **Shared Core Principles, Same Trusted Process** The Global Responsible Textile Standard is rooted in the same robust criteria and processes that define GOTS. These include: - [Human Rights](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/human-rights "Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. (Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
") and Social Criteria: Strict prohibition of child labour, forced labour and discrimination; mandatory safe working conditions and fair treatment of [workers](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/worker "Any individual engaged in work who is not a senior manager or owner.
"). - Environmental Protection: Mandatory use of environmentally sound processes and materials with rigorous restrictions on chemical [inputs](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/input "General term for all Substances and Preparations directly applied as textile auxiliary agents, inks, dyes or pigments.
"). - Due Diligence: Systematic implementation of [responsible business conduct](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/responsible-business-conduct "A comprehensive approach to business operations that aligns with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. It encompasses a range of practices and policies that businesses should adopt to ensure they contribute positively to sustainable development, respect human rights, protect the environment and uphold ethical standards throughout their operations and supply chains.
"), including risk assessment and mitigation procedures - [Traceability](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/traceability "The ability to trace the origin of an object back to its source.
In a GOTS context, the ability to trace a GOTS Good as it moves through its supply chain.
Calculation process by which it is ascertained that output volumes of a product’s certified materials are compatible with their corresponding input volumes. Input volume and output volume of the certified material used for a product are compatible if their ratio falls within a given percentage range, which reflects estimated production losses specific to the production process of the particular product, and if the input volume can be demonstrated to have been available on stock.
") throughout the value chain. - Third-Party Certification: Independent assurance by GOTS-approved certification bodies. - Comprehensive Scope: Certification from raw material sourcing to the finished textile product. - No GMO-Origin Fibres: All fibres used under GRTS must originate from independently verified, non-[GMO](https://global-standards.org/resources/glossary/gmo "Organisms whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/genetically-modified-organisms-gmo.html)
") sources and are certified to meet stringent environmental and social standards. To uphold this standard of integrity, GRTS requires all fibre inputs to be registered in the Global Fibre Registry (GFR), a traceability tool developed by Global Standard to track and verify the origins of all fibres entering the GRTS and GOTS systems. - **Development Process and Public Consultation** In line with ISEAL best practices, GRTS is being developed through a transparent, multi-stakeholder process. The public consultation period opens July 11th, 2025, inviting input from companies, NGOs, consumers, and certification bodies to ensure the new standard reflects real-world needs and expectations. Finalisation and publication of GRTS Version 1.0 is scheduled for Q4 2025. **Have Your Say: Join the Public Consultation** Global Standard welcomes all stakeholders to contribute their insights and perspectives. Your participation will help shape a credible, effective standard that extends responsible practices across more fibre types and business models, strengthening the industry’s ability to deliver on its social and environmental goals. - **The public consultation for GRTS is open until 15 August 2025.** Find out more about GRTS[ here](https://global-standards.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1357:extending-gots-principles-to-additional-fibres-introducing-the-global-responsible-textile-standard&catid=120:landing-pages). The draft version of GRTS is available here. The draft version of the Implementation Manual for GRTS is here. Submit your comments through this form: [](https://forms.office.com/e/afBPYKYw5R)