GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD

ECOLOGY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GLOBAL STANDARD NEWS · January 2025

Happy New Year!

The Global Standard staff wish you a wonderful 2025 and look forward to continuing working with you to create a more sustainable future this year. We closed out 2024 on a high note, with representation at several global events, resource updates, new staff and kicking off the revision process for the next iteration of GOTS in 2026. Read on for a roundup of the fourth quarter's activities, upcoming events, things to know and more.

Global Standard opens public consultation for GOTS Version 8.0

The public is invited to consult by 7 March 2025 on the next version of GOTS and its Implementation Manual. GOTS revisions occur every three years in an open and transparent manner, seeking inputs from the public and expertise from industry stakeholders. As a dynamic Standard, GOTS remains relevant, effective and aligned with the latest developments in the textile industry, environmental and social responsibility, and regulatory frameworks.

All inputs will be reviewed and discussed by the GOTS Standard Revision Committee. A second public consultation will take place in July. Read the first GOTS Version 8.0 revision drafts, submit comments and learn more on the GOTS Revision webpage. 

Be part of Global Standard’s Annual Report: Submit your pictures!

We invite Certified Entities to be prominently featured in the 2024 Global Standard Annual Report. Submit your professional-quality images of:

→ GOTS-certified products
→ GOTS-certified facilities and the workers
→ Retail stores selling GOTS-certified goods

How to submit:

→ Photos should be at least 300 dpi.
→ If a GOTS label is visible, make sure it follows the correct on-product labelling as described in our Conditions for the Use of GOTS Signs.
→ Send images in jpeg format to , either directly or through WeTransfer.

The deadline for submission is 22 January.

Photos chosen may appear in the Annual Report, as well as in social media or other materials. Your company name will be listed as the source of the image(s).

Global Standard convenes global brands and retailers for workshop

In December, Global Standard organized a GOTS Global Brands and Retailers Workshop, the first of its kind that involved the exclusive participants of these groups. The event at Hotel Lemontree in New Delhi brought top names from the global market, including Auchan, Bestseller, Carrefour, Celio, Frugi, H&M, Ikea, Impulse, Indiska, Varner Group, United Colours of Benetton, Ola Otter and Grouppe Eram. The aim was to foster better collaboration and hear thoughts from global brands and retailers regarding various aspects of GOTS. Topics covered the sourcing activity of retailers, suggestions for the betterment of GOTS, fraud prevention and other vital points.

GOTS added to the EPA’s federal purchasing recommendations

In a sustainability and advocacy win, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in December announced the inclusion of GOTS in its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. GOTS is the only organic fibre standard added to the recommendations.

Federal agencies must prioritize multi-attribute sustainable products when making sustainable purchases. In this context, standards like GOTS receive preferential treatment in front of single-attribute standards.

Read the statement from Global Standard here. Certified entities and procurers are encouraged to contact Aleksandra Czajka, Global Standard Public Procurement Specialist, at or Ryan Sitler, Representative in North America, at with any questions.

Due diligence online trainings now available for Certified Entities

Certified entities now have exclusive access to two online trainings on how to implement due diligence in their operations and supply chains. The trainings are interactive, can be taken on the participants’ own time and allow them to test what they have learned.

For the purposes of audits and accreditation, the Standard, Implementation Manual and Due Diligence Handbook for Certified Entities (all available at global-standard.org) will always take precedence. However, the trainings provide an opportunity to increase Certified Entities’ practical knowledge on due diligence in a pleasant, interactive way and help them reach a deeper understanding of how they are to implement due diligence in their operations and supply chains.

For more information on the trainings, email .

Reminder! Take the GOTS Year-end Survey

If you have not already completed the GOTS Year-end Survey 2024, we encourage you to participate. It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your feedback will help us understand the ongoing experiences and needs of GOTS certified entities. Please complete the survey before 31 January.

Global Standard welcomes new team members

Marie-Luise Pörtner, Global Regulations Specialist
Marie-Luise joined Global Standard in November 2024. Over the past 18 years, she has held various leadership and management positions in the highly regulated area of renewable energies, gaining extensive experience at the interface to politics. Given the globally increasing legislation and regulation in the textile sector, it is her task to closely monitor these developments, advocate for the values of Global Standard and provide the organisation with input on how to ensure that companies certified by Global Standard comply with new legislative and regulatory requirements. Marie-Luise holds a master's degree in political science, journalism and Portuguese as well as a doctorate in international politics. She lives with her husband in Munich, has a grown daughter and loves any kind of outdoor activity and weaving.

Diego Centurión, Senior Product Manager
Diego joined GOTS in November 2024 and is focused on enhancing the Global Trace-Base platform and leading the development and execution of the Global Standard product strategy to ensure current and new products meet end-users' needs. An anthropologist by training, Diego brings substantive experience across a variety of sectors, including the United Nations, global banks and tech companies in Europe, Asia and Latin America. For the last six years, he was involved in the design and scaling of digital-first solutions in healthcare, consumer goods and telecom. Prior to joining GOTS, Diego built out a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for the restaurant industry and founded a digital initiative focused on rainforest conservation for children. He is a firm believer in leveraging tech and data to advance sustainability. Diego is based in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Anathi Selani, Data Engineer
Anathi joined Global Standard in October and will be responsible for leading the development and execution of the Global Standard data strategy. In addition, Anathi will oversee the design of the systems and infrastructure that will enable us to effectively work with large volumes of information. Anathi has a strong background in information and communication technology and many years of engineering experience building, testing and managing data solutions across a wide range of industries at a global scale. Anathi resides in Cape Town, South Africa.

We are hiring!

Head of Quality Assurance (remote)
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated person to lead and continuously develop our global quality assurance programme for our voluntary sustainability standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in quality assurance, auditing, and standards management within the textile industry or a related field.

Social Media Specialist (remote)
We are seeking a dynamic and skilled Social Media Specialist to drive our social media presence, expanding our thought leadership position, increasing our follower base, and fostering awareness across both B2B and B2C channels. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing organic social media and performance ads, working with budgets, and delivering results-oriented campaigns. This role is integral to executing and evolving Global Standard’s social media strategy across platforms, primarily LinkedIn, Meta, and Google.

Stakeholder Engagement Specialist (remote)
We are seeking a dynamic and skilled Stakeholder Engagement Specialist to play a critical role in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including certified entities, certification bodies, accreditation bodies and NGOs. This role will also involve assisting with the regular revision of standards, ensuring that all stakeholder input is gathered and incorporated according to Global Standard’s standard-setting procedures. The ideal candidate will have experience in stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and standards development within the textile industry or a related field.

Implementation Specialist (remote)
We are seeking a skilled Implementation Specialist as part of the Global Standard’s Standard Development Unit to play a key role in formulating, revising and implementing certification policies and procedures to ensure compliance with sustainability standards. The candidate should value the freedom to operate autonomously and has relevant experience with Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and/or certification bodies, as well as strong coordination skills across various stakeholders including internal teams and externals like certification bodies, to drive the adoption of standards and continuous improvement.

Learn more about these roles here.

Global Standard around the globe

Global Standard Managing Director anchors Textile Association's International Annual Conference



Global Standard Managing Director Rahul Bhajekar was the anchor for The Textile Association (India), Mumbai Unit's International Conference on 15 November 2024 in Mumbai. The full-day event included lectures, discussions and panels on the theme “Automation and Robotics in Textile & Apparel Industry”. Over 350 delegates attended the event, and the chief guest was Textile Commissioner Roop Rashi from the Ministry of Textiles.

Global Standard Policy and Legal Advisor gives keynote at Textile ESG Innovation Conference in China



Herbert Ladwig, Global Standard Policy and Legal Advisor, and Felicia Shi, Representative in APAC, were invited by China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) to attend the 2024 Textile ESG Innovation Conference held in Keqiao, China, 4-6 December 2024. Herbert delivered a keynote speech on how voluntary sustainable standards, including GOTS, can help companies comply with ESG frameworks. Following the speech, Herbert and Yan Yan, Vice President of CNTAC, participated in a signing ceremony to renew the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between GOTS and CNTAC. In addition, Herbert and Felicia had the opportunity to visit one of Shaoxing’s largest dyeing companies, GOTS-certified Jinxianghui Textile Printing & Dyeing Co., Ltd. They engaged with company staff to understand their operational conditions and challenges.

Global Standard experts speak at first SLOW TEXTILES show in India



Global Standard marked its presence at the first SLOW TEXTILES Sustainable Textile and Apparel Show, a B2B event that took place in Bengaluru, India, 7-9 December 2024. The show displayed environmental successes and innovations by fashion disruptors – including textiles made from banana stems, pineapple leaves, cigarette butts, lotus stems, orange fibres, ginger fibre and more. Jeffrey Thimm, Global Standard Organic Product Specialist, engaged in a panel discussion on stakeholder synergy for sustainable textiles, while Global Standard Representative in South Asia Ganesh Kasekar spoke on a panel about certifications and how to make them more accessible.

Meet Global Standard: Upcoming events

• 22 January | European Space Agency webinar: Space for a Sustainable Textile Industry, virtual
  Jeffrey Thimm, Global Standard Organic Product Specialist, will speak at this ESA event introducing a call for proposals for feasibility studies to explore how space-based technologies or data can be used in services to enhance transparency, sustainability and resilience across the cotton value chain and wider textile industry.
  
  → Register for the webinar here.
  
  
• 26-28 February | Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT), Ho Chi Minh City
  Meet Felicia Shi, Representative in APAC, and Cecile Chi, Assistant to Representative in APAC, at VIATT, where Felicia will deliver a presentation on GOTS and discuss the opportunity to explore "what’s next" in our work.
  
  → Learn more about the event here.
  
  
• 4 March | Demystifying Data Summit, Berlin
  César Escobedo, Global Standard Head of Digital Transformation, will be a panelist discussing two topics: How to gain data and analytics buy-in from key stakeholders and leveraging data technology for industry transformation.
  
  → Learn more about the event here.
  
  
• 11-13 March | 2025 Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics-Spring Edition, Shanghai, China
  Visit the GOTS booth in the Econogy Hub, where Felicia Shi, Representative in APAC, and Cecile Chi, Assistant to Representative in APAC, will engage with visitors. Felicia will deliver a speech introducing GOTS and sharing the latest updates.
  
  → Learn more about the event here.

Global Standard in the news

Global Standard and GOTS had more than 38,000 media mentions in 2024. We will share a few stories each quarter in this new section highlighting our coverage and thought leaders.

✩ Ecotextile | GOTS launches due diligence handbook for auditors
✩ Yahoo! Finance | Global Standard’s GOTS makes it into US EPA Recommendations framework
✩ TextilWirtschaft | How Satellites and AI Will Prevent Organic Cotton Fraud (German)
✩ Elle Japan | Is organic cotton really sustainable? (Japanese)

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