The Global Organic Textile Standard, the world’s leading processing standard for organic textiles, has released Version 8.0, introducing expanded governance, environmental and product safety requirements across certified organic textile processing and supply chains. The revised framework strengthens chemical management, air emissions and waste controls while adding provisions on circularity, microfibre monitoring and due diligence obligations designed to improve supply chain accountability and align certification practices with evolving regulatory expectations.
- The updated standard introduces mandatory due diligence processes aligned with OECD guidelines, elevating governance expectations through ESG disclosure requirements, anti-corruption policies and formal conflict-of-interest safeguards.
- Version 8.0 strengthens environmental controls through clearer requirements on air emissions, textile waste management and greenhouse gas monitoring, including Scope 1 and Scope 2 inventory documentation, announced late last week.
- New provisions address circularity and microfibre management, requiring risk-based measures to address microfibre release during textile processing and measurement of fibre fragmentation in finished products.
- According to Global Standard, the revisions follow extensive stakeholder engagement and two rounds of public consultation conducted in 2025 as part of the standard’s periodic revision cycle.
THE REVISION: GOTS Version 8.0 represents the latest revision of the Global Organic Textile Standard, the world’s leading processing standard for organic textiles. The update expands governance expectations and strengthens environmental and product safety requirements across certified supply chains. It also introduces provisions on circular product systems and fibre-fragmentation monitoring while clarifying due diligence obligations designed to provide companies greater clarity as they navigate heightening regulatory risks.
- The revision strengthens requirements for air emissions, waste management and product safety while updating residue testing protocols used to verify compliance across certified organic textile processing facilities.
- Governance provisions have been formalised through new requirements covering ESG disclosure, anti-corruption policies and conflict-of-interest safeguards that strengthen responsible business conduct across certified operations.
- Mandatory due diligence processes aligned with OECD guidelines are introduced to help companies navigate regulatory risks and ensure supply chain accountability across certified operations.
- The updated standard also adds references to implementation tools such as the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Certified Entities to guide due diligence implementation by certified entities.
WHAT THE STANDARD ADDS: Version 8.0 introduces a wide range of operational, environmental and technical updates affecting certified textile production. The revision expands requirements on climate accountability, chemical management and worker protections while introducing clearer testing protocols and stronger verification measures across the supply chain. Several new provisions also address emerging sustainability concerns, including microfibre release, circular product systems and stricter controls on hazardous chemical substances.
- New criteria strengthen worker protections by addressing risks linked to extreme heat, humidity and other weather-related workplace hazards affecting textile processing environments.
- Updated climate provisions introduce clearer requirements for greenhouse gas emissions management, including Scope 1 and Scope 2 inventories, documentation procedures and improvement pathways.
- Chemical management rules have been strengthened through clearer requirements for inputs and formulators, including a dedicated GOTS Manufacturing Restricted Substances List and limits for free aniline in indigo dyes.
- Stricter PFAS limits and updated testing protocols reinforce the standard’s ban on these substances while strengthening verification of non-GMO cotton fibres through updated testing references.
- Additional provisions introduce durability testing for finished products, new packaging criteria promoting recycled content and rules allowing certified products to remain within GOTS certification across repair and resale models.
- The updated framework also introduces waste hierarchy guidance prioritising prevention, reuse, recycling and responsible end-of-life solutions across certified textile operations.
- Improved hygiene product safety requirements introduce new testing and residue rules to strengthen safety standards for certified tampon products within the GOTS certification framework.
THE TRANSITION: The updated GOTS framework will be implemented through a defined transition period before becoming mandatory for certified entities. The revision follows the standard’s established periodic review cycle and incorporates feedback gathered through consultations and industry participation during the revision process. Supporting documentation has also been expanded to clarify compliance expectations and guide companies as they prepare to meet the strengthened governance, environmental and operational requirements introduced in Version 8.0.
- The Manual for Implementation has been expanded to provide additional guidance on due diligence, human rights considerations and internal audit processes required under the revised framework.
- GOTS revisions occur every three years through an open consultation process designed to incorporate public feedback and expertise from industry stakeholders and certification bodies.
- Version 8.0 was finalised after two rounds of public consultation held in 2025 with extensive engagement from stakeholders across the textile value chain.
- The revision process sought alignment with global sustainability frameworks, including the ISEAL Code of Good Practice governing credible sustainability standards.
- After the transition period, GOTS Version 8.0 will become fully effective for certified entities on 1 March 2027 across certified processing and supply chain operations.
WHAT THEY SAID
We proudly present GOTS Version 8.0 as the outcome of an extensive and highly collaborative revision process, reflecting the collective intelligence of our global stakeholder community. The diverse expertise, rigorous dialogue and shared commitment of all participants have been decisive in further strengthening the Standard and ensuring its forward-looking relevance.
— Rahul Bhajekar
Managing Director
Global Standard
GOTS Version 8.0 marks an important milestone in our continuous improvement journey. It is even more clearly designed as a coherent governance system for the entire textile value chain and serves as a practical system-level business tool for the industry. It governs how a textile is produced, how it is verified, what may be claimed and how it is labelled, creating traceability and integrity.
— Claudia Kersten
Managing Director
Global Standard
