#Sustainability

2026-07-09

Global Standards establishes new non-profit foundation to strengthen governance

Global Standards gGmbH, the nonprofit organisation behind the globally recognised Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), announced a new governance structure designed to support its long-term mission and reinforce organisational autonomy of its Voluntary Sustainability Standards and programmes.

The newly established Global Standards Foundation is the sole shareholder of the operating organisation, which was renamed Global Standards gGmbH. The new structure will ensure that strategic decisions are guided by independent expertise, to support a more sustainable textile sector, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A key feature of the new model is the establishment of a Governing Council as the organisation's strategic governing body. The inaugural Governing Council brings together four new outstanding independent experts alongside nominees from each of the four founding organisations and an independent chair, showcasing a global range of experience and expertise. All serve in a personal capacity, collectively extending Global Standards’ expertise across sustainability, governance, finance, certification and public policy:

Prof. Dr. Christian Berg, Member of the GLS Bank Investment Committee and of the German Association of the Club of Rome and former Chief Sustainability Architect, SAP

Pietro Bertazzi, Chief Policy, Projects and Interim Growth Officer at Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

James Cashmore, former Managing Director, Soil Association

Tom Chapman, co-CEO, Organic Trade Association

Herbert Ladwig (Governing Council Founding Chair), Policy & Legal Advisor, Global Standards gGmbH

Tsuyoshi Maeda, Founder and CEO, Team O-Three Co., Ltd., and Chair, Japan Organic Cotton Association

Nicole Pälicke, Director, People Wear Organic and Board Member, Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN)

Georg Schürmann, Chair, UmweltBank Supervisory Board, Member of Supervisory Board, Oikocredit and former Managing Director, Triodos Bank Germany

Laurence Tanty, former Chair of Fairtrade International Board

The new governance structure draws from more than 20 years of industry leadership and will support Global Standards' evolution to a multi-standard Voluntary Sustainability Standards organisation. Its portfolio today includes the worldwide recognised GOTS and the new Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), which expands to fibres beyond organic.

As expectations for Voluntary Sustainability Standards and regulatory requirements continue to intensify, the new foundation structure provides an independent governance model designed to meet those expectations while strengthening Global Standards’ ability to serve the textile sector over the long term.

Today, Global Standards is a team of around 50 professionals working around the world with a clear mission: “To ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities.”

This new structure is designed to serve that mission better — giving Global Standards the independence, stability, and accountability it needs to keep delivering meaningful impact across global textile value chains.

Global Standards announce launch of a new textile processing standard

The 14th September 2026 marks the public launch of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), a new standard for the processing of textiles made from fibres certified to third-party standards recognised by GRTS and covering a broad range of plant, animal, synthetic, man-made cellulosic and recycled fibres.

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

180 years of TESTEX: From Zurich silk testing to global certification

For 180 years, TESTEX has developed alongside the textile industry while maintaining the same underlying purpose: creating trust through independent and reliable measurement. Founded in Zurich in 1846 as the Zurich Silk Conditioning Institute, TESTEX has grown from a local institution serving the silk trade into an international Swiss testing and certification institute for textiles and leather.

Cascale launches member-led process to shape 2030 strategy

Cascale has launched a member-led process to define the industry alliance’s strategic direction for the next decade. At the Cascale Annual Meeting 2026 in Athens, CEO Ying McGuire announced that members will contribute to an industry system map that will inform Cascale’s 10-year vision, its 2030 strategy and priorities for 2027. The new strategy is scheduled to be finalized in December.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.

Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 draws to a close, weaving sustainable innovation into global sourcing

Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 concluded with approximately 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, connecting with nearly 22,000 visitors from 110 represented markets, bringing the textile industry’s evolving material agenda into sharper focus. Held alongside Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition, CHIC and PH Value, the fair connected upstream fibre and yarn innovation with fabric development, garment production and fashion-market demand.