Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) & Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS)
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 8.0 has already been launched and the implementation date is 1 March 2027.
GOTS, GRTS and Textile Exchange certification
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Textile Exchange are the two most common certification programmes in the textiles and garment industry.
By completing GOTS or Textile Exchange certification and displaying credible certification logos on the products, buyers and suppliers can clearly demonstrate their commitment to consumers and protect their brand reputation.
Support from Eurofins Assurance
Accredited by IOAS Inc., the Eurofins Assurance network of companies is an accredited Certification Body for both GOTS and Textile Exchange to assure relevant claims on your textile products, delivering your sustainability commitments to your consumers with trust across Europe, Asia and Africa.
GOTS focuses primarily on organic textile certification, while Textile Exchange runs several widely recognised standards around organic, recycle and responsible materials.
These are the key changes in V8:
- Criteria for certification and labelling of “Combined Product” clarified further.
- Clarity provided on additional fibre requirements and blending.
- Within Due Diligence requirements, clients shall identify and prioritise the most significant risks and take appropriate action.
- Detailed Internal Audit to assess compliance with GOTS criteria.
- Higher focus on Resource Efficiency – Water, Energy & Chemicals.
- Prepare Green House Gases Management Plan (ISO 14064).
- Calculate direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions.
- Some of the key documents – e.g., use of Signs, Scope Certificate template, being split for GOTS and GRTS.
Interested in understanding more? Watch this on-demand webinar about key changes of GOTS V8.0.
By extending the evaluation and assessment principle from organic fibres, Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) focuses on responsible fibres that could be natural, recycled or regenerated. GRTS criteria also include environmental, chemical compliance and human rights. It allows the textile industry to benefit from one aligned certification system for different types and sources of fibres.
Eurofins Assurance has been specially approved by Global Standard GmbH to issue GRTS certificates. You can see the Approved Certification Body details listed on Global Standard website here.
Textile exchange
Textile Exchange has launched the Materials Matter Standard (MMS) to harmonise sustainability certification requirements across different materials.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)** | Content Claim Standard (CCS)** | Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)** | Organic Content Standard (OCS)
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) | Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) | Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) | Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS)
MMS will be replacing the two prominent recycled materials standards, namely GRS and RCS, as well as three responsible animal fiber standards RWS, RAS and RMS.
Transition of MMS begins on 31 December 2026. From this day onwards until 31 December 2027, tier 4 sites can choose to get certified to new MMS or the current standards. The transition will have significant impacts on tier 4 sites including recyclers, animal fiber farms and primary processing facilities in the textile supply chains.
On the other hand, tier 0 to tier 3 sites will be required to upgrade their Scope Certificates (SC) by 31 March 2029 so that they will be eligible to make MMS claims and use MMS labels.
In general, MMS will introduce much stronger evaluation and assessment requirements on the production and primary processing of raw materials around these criteria: land, water, energy, working conditions, animal welfare (where applicable), emissions, chemicals and waste management. Tier 4 sites should start preparing early for the transition to avoid disruption.
Benefits of GOTS and Textile exchange certification
By fulfilling and adopting GOTS and Textile Exchange Certification, buyers and suppliers instantly gain much visibility into the raw materials’ origins and better manage risks around chain of custody in the supply chains.
Both schemes are internationally recognised. These certificates present extra level of trust to the consumers, building stronger brand recognition and identity among competition.
In a world of rising expectation on fact-based product claims, the certification schemes with independent assessment on standard protocols are crucial to meet such expectations, especially on the regulatory side.
Impact Trace, a digital platform you can trust
We have developed a powerful and user-friendly online platform Impact Trace to manage the entire certification process digitally. From audit booking and submitting documents, to viewing the progress of certification and obtaining audit reports and Transaction Certificates, all activities can be completed easily in one single platform that provides maximum efficiency and convenience.
Partnering with Eurofins Assurance
Eurofins Assurance has undergone an assessment by IOAS and is an approved Certification Body for both the schemes.
With a network of well-trained auditors in over 70 regions, as well as robust experience in third-part audit and verification services from various audit standards, we promptly work with buyers and suppliers in setting up their certification programmes.
GOTS and Textile Exchange certification is managed globally by Eurofins Assurance India Pvt Ltd. We have also obtained ISO 17065:2012 accreditation from IOAS for Textile Exchange - Recycled Claim Standard. You can check our accreditation details including geographic scope and materials scope at IOAS website. Please refer to the Policies and Procedures for GOTS & Textile Exchange Certification available online for more information.
Certification of farms under: Responsible Down Standard, Responsible Wool Standard, Responsible Mohair Standard and Responsible Alpaca Standard is not available.
** Certification available for textile materials in all regions; metal, paper and plastic available in selected regions.