The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has opened a public consultation on its new Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS).
- The consultation period opened on 14 July 2025 and will remain active until 15 August 2025.
- GRTS aims to extend GOTS principles to certified non-organic fibres such as recycled, regenerative, and sustainable natural inputs.
- The draft standard is the outcome of three years of pilot implementation and multi-stakeholder feedback.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The public consultation marks a defining moment in the expansion of credible sustainability frameworks beyond organic fibres. By opening GRTS to public scrutiny, GOTS aims to ground the new standard in transparency, traceability, and sector-wide consensus before finalisation.
THE BACKDROP: The GRTS consultation launch on 14 July 2025 formalises a three-year development process initiated by GOTS to address traceability gaps in non-organic textile fibres. Stakeholders have until 15 August 2025 to provide feedback through the published draft and guidance documents.
- The consultation covers the full text of GRTS 1.0 and its implementation framework.
- Feedback is open to all stakeholders including certifiers, brands, producers, and NGOs.
- Guidance for submission is available on the GOTS website.
- The outcome will inform adjustments to scope, verification, and language of GRTS.
- GOTS plans additional outreach events during the consultation window.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The launch of GRTS could reset how sustainable fibre claims are verified across the global textile sector. For manufacturers and brands, the new standard may serve as the de facto benchmark for recycled, regenerative, and alternative natural fibres.
- Existing voluntary standards often lack unified environmental and social criteria.
- Blended and synthetic fibre supply chains face rising regulatory scrutiny.
- GRTS may influence procurement choices in both fashion and technical textiles.
- Certification demands could rise for suppliers operating in mixed-input systems.
CONTEXT FRAME: GRTS emerges from industry-wide pressure to accommodate a broader range of fibre types under credible standards. With sustainability definitions expanding, stakeholders called for a harmonised certification that upholds GOTS-level rigour without restricting fibre origin to organic.
- Market interest in pre- and post-consumer recycled content has surged globally.
- Regenerative agriculture is increasingly seen as a climate-aligned alternative to conventional farming.
- Current sustainability certifications often lack transparency or robust audits.
- GOTS seeks to replicate its trusted organic certification model across new fibre domains.
STRATEGIC SUBTEXT: GOTS’ move to create GRTS is as much strategic as it is technical. With governments and buyers demanding stronger proof behind sustainability claims, GOTS is positioning itself as the authority on all fibres deemed environmentally and socially responsible.
- GOTS aims to consolidate its leadership by pre-empting gaps in fibre standards.
- GRTS aligns with growing regulatory emphasis on traceability and due diligence.
- By controlling the expansion, GOTS maintains institutional credibility.
- A successful consultation may fast-track industry adoption and policy recognition.
COMING UP: After the 15 August consultation close, GOTS will review all feedback and prepare the final version of GRTS. Further materials, training, and auditor integration are expected to follow, with phased rollout projected through 2026.
- Post-consultation revisions will be announced by Q4 2025.
- Certifier training and alignment will begin in parallel.
- GOTS may explore joint GOTS-GRTS certification pathways.
- Multi-language resources and stakeholder briefings are planned.
- Industry adoption timelines will be detailed in the final implementation guide.
