GOTS Press Release - USA +++ Dual Leadership

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) with innovative dual leadership 

For immediate release

Ashfield, 03 April 2018                                                                                       

True to its mission “working together to achieve solutions” GOTS once again lives up to its pioneer role. It began with the harmonization of existing standards in 2002 into the global standard for the processing of certified organic fibers along the entire supply chain. It continues through regular revisions by a multi-stakeholder process, for keeping GOTS always up-to-date regarding technological progress and social responsibility. Now GOTS comes up with an innovative management approach.

With Claudia Kersten and Rahul Bhajekar GOTS now installed a dual leadership as modern management form for the non-profit operating unit Global Standard gemeinnützige GmbH. At this time more than 5.000 operations in around 63 countries around the globe are GOTS certified. The independent certifiers reported more than 1,7 million workers in GOTS operations in 2017. 

“I am extremely pleased that we could secure my succession with these two top executives leading the Global Standard gGmbH. I am confident that together they will ensure GOTS leading position and successfully face challenges” says Herbert Ladwig, who led GOTS as Managing Director from its formation in 2002 and has been instrumental for its success. Ladwig will continue to serve as Policy and Legal Advisor.

Kersten and Bhajekar have already been working as directors for GOTS. Kersten, who holds an MBA Sustainability Management will continue to serve as head of Marketing and Finance. Bhajekar who has been working in the textile sector for more than two decades including textile and analytical laboratories remains head of Standards Development and Quality Assurance.

“Mr. Ladwig’s farsightedness propelled GOTS to international recognition as the standard of choice for organic textiles. His pioneering drive earns our deepest respect. Moreover, we are grateful that we can continue to rely on his support and benefit from his irreplaceable experience” say Kersten and Bhajekar.

ABOUT GOTS: GOTS is the stringent voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing) of apparel and home textiles made with certified organic fibre (such as organic cotton and organic wool), and includes both environmental and social criteria. Key provisions include a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), highly hazardous chemicals (such as azo dyes and formaldehyde), and child labour, while requiring strong social compliance management systems and strict waste water treatment practices. GOTS was developed by leading international standard setters - Organic Trade Association (U.S.), Japan Organic Cotton Association, International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany), and Soil Association (UK) to define globally-recognised requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles, from field to finished product. 
GOTS is a non-profit organisation which is self-financed.

For more information please see www.global-standard.org.

Please download the high resolution photo here.

Lori Wyman

GOTS
Global Organic Textile Standard