Global Standard, the non-profit organization behind the renowned Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), has initiated a public consultation period for its new “voluntary sustainability standard” called the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). The GRTS is expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of this year and aims to extend the principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care to a broader range of fibers beyond organic textiles. This expansion will enable companies using responsible fibers to demonstrate their environmental and social performance under a trusted system.
GOTS has been highly successful, with over 15,000 certified facilities across 87 countries, and has become the global benchmark for organic textiles. The introduction of GRTS marks a significant milestone in advancing the mission to drive high levels of social and environmental impact across the textile value chain. The new standard is designed to help the textile industry drive positive change across the entire value chain, allowing companies to respond to rising market expectations and comply with emerging regulatory requirements without adding unnecessary complexity or cost.
The managing directors of Global Standard, Rahul Bhajekar and Claudia Kersten, emphasized that the expansion of the standard will enable the organization to maintain minimal fees in its non-profit setup, avoiding additional burdens on the industry’s sustainability measures. The GOTS framework will now serve as a foundation for broader applications, while continuing to stand as the leading voluntary sustainability standard in the organic textile sector.
The introduction of GRTS is a significant development in the textile industry, as it provides a trusted and recognized standard for companies using responsible fibers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. The public consultation period is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and input on the new standard, ensuring that it is effective and relevant to the industry. With the launch of GRTS, Global Standard is taking a crucial step towards driving positive change across the textile value chain and promoting sustainable practices in the industry.