EU Bioeconomy Strategy: Organic Textiles, Bioeconomy in Action

Stuttgart, Germany -

The EU Commission released its new EU Bioeconomy Strategy on November 27, 2025, which outlines a competitive and sustainable European economy based on a clear deviation away from fossil fuels and toward the sustainable use of biomass and materials. This focus aims to maintain Europe’s strong position in the global marketplace while protecting ecosystems and supporting the transition to climate neutrality.

Organic Textile Production at the Forefront

Global Standard welcomes the Strategy’s recognition of textiles as a lead market for sustainable biomaterials. Natural fibres (including cotton, wool, hemp and linen), and particularly natural organic fibres, are a great example of the sustainable bioeconomy in action. Aleksandra Czajka, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Global Regulation Specialist, notes that “while bio-based textiles were first highlighted during the 2018 update of the Bioeconomy Strategy, the new framework offers an opportunity to explicitly position organic natural fibres and organic textiles as strategic assets for sustainable consumption and production.”

Textiles independently certified to GOTS, developed by Global Standard, are traceable, sustainable, socially responsible and environmentally conscious products that meet the ambition of the Bioeconomy Strategy. Over the past 20 years, we have updated GOTS to best align with new environmental and social policy, developing a rigorous set of certification criteria. The tried and tested criteria can help deliver the requirements laid out in the Strategy whilst ensuring that GOTS certified entities importing to the EU to be ahead of the curve within the market. This feedback loop can reduce duplication, expand good policy implementation, and boost competitive markets.

Global Standard is well-positioned within both Europe and globally to help further the achievement of a strong EU bioeconomy. Christopher Stopes, GOTS Representative to the EU, reports that “In 2025, there are almost 16,000 GOTS certified entities around the world. These businesses demonstrate the environmental and social sustainability of organic textile products. GOTS certified products encompass the fashion, apparel, children’s wear, home textile and personal care sectors.”

How do we Achieve a Viable Bioeconomy for Textiles?

The official launch of the Strategy is scheduled during the Danish Presidency of the EU Council’s Bioeconomy event in Copenhagen on December 2nd. Its goal is to boost the long-term competitiveness of the EU Bioeconomy, but how do we get there within the textile industry in particular? Stopes notes that “to achieve a viable bioeconomy will require comprehensive sustainability metrics that truly reflect environmental and social externalities.” Czajka adds that “the outcome of the Strategy for textiles will depend on whether it provides regulatory clarity, with harmonised definitions of ‘organic’ and ‘bio-based textiles’ and alignment with other legislation to prevent mislabelling and greenwashing.”

Global Standard welcomes the Strategy’s goal of enhancing the assessment, comparability, and market visibility of bio-based products, as current environmental footprint tools, such as the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations (ESPR), fail to address the impact of growing textile supply chains and the increasing reliance on fossil fuel-based fibres. Biodiversity loss and microplastic shedding resulting from a lack of regulation or promotion of alternative production methods are a critical issue and put the environment at risk of continued degradation.

Coming back to the source, Czajka notes that “at the heart of the Strategy lies the agriculture sector, a major user and producer of biological resources, and a critical actor in enabling a sustainable and competitive bioeconomy. The Strategy should thus prioritize organic farming that guarantees sustainable land use and enhances the environment.”

Global Standard calls on the Danish presidency, an acknowledged European leader in all things organic, to address these concerns and acknowledge that organic natural fibres are a viable means to deliver a truly sustainable bioeconomy, one which is environmentally friendly, encourages biodiversity and reduces microplastic release, setting forth a path to a long-term EU Bioeconomy for textiles.

Contact:

Christopher Stopes

+44 7966 463 489

Notes for Editors:

About Global Standard

Non-profit Global Standard owns and operates the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is the world's leading processing standard for organic textiles, from fibre to finished product. Global Standard is on a mission to ensure the highestlevel of positive social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities and believes in a world where all textiles are produced in accordance with the principles of health, ecology, fairness and care to enhance people’s lives and the environment. For more information, visit www.global-standard.org.

About Global Organic Textile Standard

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), owned and operated by non-profit Global Standard, is the world's leading processing standard for organic textile, from fibre to finished product. It sets strict environmental and social criteria for the entire textile value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished product. GOTS certification ensures the integrity of finished organic textiles and provides comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. The rules and tools of GOTS certification help businesses comply with legal regulations while empowering them to further exceed requirements. For more information, visit www.global-standard.org.