Global Standard, the non-profit organization behind the internationally acclaimed Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), has launched a public consultation for its new voluntary sustainability certification — the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). This initiative marks a significant expansion of the organization’s commitment to responsible textile production by encompassing a broader range of sustainable fibers.
Designed in line with the core principles and rigorous processes that shaped GOTS, the new GRTS aims to apply the values of health, ecology, justice, and care across the entire textile supply chain — not just limited to organic fibers. While GOTS will remain the gold standard for organic textiles, GRTS will offer companies a credible pathway to certify environmental and social performance for other responsible fibers under the same trusted framework.
Built on the GOTS infrastructure, GRTS ensures minimal implementation burden, making it easier for companies already certified under GOTS to integrate additional fibers into their certification portfolio. This structure also helps reduce complexity and costs while meeting rising consumer expectations and tightening regulatory requirements.
“Many GOTS-certified facilities already handle non-organic but responsibly produced fibers,” said Rahul Bhajekar and Claudia Kersten, Managing Directors of Global Standard. “With GRTS, we’re enabling these businesses to validate their sustainability efforts more comprehensively — without retooling or setting up redundant systems.”
They added that the launch of GRTS supports their ongoing mission to minimize additional financial burdens on the industry, keeping certification aligned with fair wages and accessible practices, even as sustainability standards evolve.
The development of GRTS follows ISEAL’s internationally recognized best practices, and Global Standard has opened the first phase of its public consultation from July 14 to August 15, 2025. Stakeholders including brands, manufacturers, NGOs, consumers, and certifiers are encouraged to participate and shape a standard that addresses real-world challenges and opportunities in responsible textile production.
The organization plans to release GRTS Version 1.0 by the fourth quarter of 2025, setting a new benchmark in the industry for sustainable fiber certification beyond organic.
