New figures released today in the 2025 Annual Report for Global Standard, the nonprofit that owns and operates GOTS, show that uptake of robust, independently governed sustainability standards remains a priority for companies seeking to manage risk, substantiate claims and meet rising expectations on transparency and due diligence.

As regulatory frameworks accelerated throughout 2025, scrutiny of supply chains increased and expectations around credible sustainability systems sharpened. Against this backdrop, Global Standard reported steady growth in GOTS certification alongside progress in integrity, digital traceability and alignment with international due diligence frameworks. As the leading system-level Standard, GOTS ensures the credibility of its certified organic textiles across the entire value chain through ever-evolving criteria that extend beyond a single technical, product or facility-level aspect.

“Voluntary sustainability standards are increasingly being used not just to demonstrate intent, but to operationalise complex regulatory and ethical requirements,” said Claudia Kersten, Managing Director of Global Standard. “In a year of significant regulatory change, our focus has been on strengthening systems that are practical, transparent and credible for global textile supply chains.”

Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director of Global Standard, added: “Building on this systems-led approach, the development of GRTS marks an important next step for Global Standard. Together with GOTS, it offers companies a clearer, more coherent way to manage responsibility across different fibres, align with due diligence expectations and strengthen governance and deliver impact across increasingly complex global textile supply chains.”

Advancing due diligence and system integrity

A major milestone during the year was the OECD Due Diligence Alignment Assessment of GOTS, which found 98% of assessed criteria either fully or partially aligned with OECD guidance. The findings positioned GOTS among the most advanced standards evaluated, reflecting its role as a system addressing environmental, human and labour rights risks across the textile value chain.

Investment in digital infrastructure continued to strengthen system integrity and oversight. Tools including Global Trace Base, first mile fibre registries and impact monitoring mechanisms enhanced traceability, data quality and transparency across certified supply chains, while ongoing quality assurance processes supported consistent implementation.

Standard development and regulatory alignment

The revision process for GOTS Version 8.0 progressed throughout 2025, with two public consultations and decisions guided by a multi stakeholder Standard Revision Committee operating in line with ISEAL guidelines. GOTS 8.0 reflects the latest developments in environmental and social responsibility, circular economy principles and regulatory frameworks. The updated Standard was released in March 2026, with mandatory adherence beginning 1 March 2027.

Beyond organic textiles, Global Standard also completed the first public consultation of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) in 2025. GRTS applies the same holistic system-based logic that has made GOTS successful to responsible, non-organic fibres. It establishes a credible baseline for responsible textile processing where organic definitions do not apply, translating scientific and social expectations into direct and verifiable requirements. GRTS is expected to be released in autumn 2026, following a second consultation.

Education, technology and capacity building

Education and capacity building were central to Global Standard’s work in 2025. In response to increasing regulatory and implementation complexity, the organisation expanded training, guidance and knowledge sharing activities for auditors, Certification Bodies and Certified Entities. Key initiatives included the launch of the Global Standard Academy, new due diligence handbooks and targeted auditor training programmes supported by funding from the ISEAL Innovations Fund.

Global Standard also continued to advance its “Space Cotton” pilot, a collaboration with AI firm Marple and the European Space Agency, which uses satellite imagery to map cotton cultivation. Following successful implementation in India, the project expanded to Turkey in 2025, supporting efforts to facilitate certification and increase the availability of certified organic cotton globally.

Looking ahead

Together, GOTS and GRTS will form a unified, systems-level framework to make responsible textile production credible, scalable and workable in practice. Global Standard remains focused on ensuring voluntary sustainability standards deliver measurable impact, operational value and lasting credibility across global textile value chains.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report here:

https://global-standard.org/images/260423_GOTS_Annual_Report_2025.pdf