Global Standard expands scope, leverages AI innovation, and amplifies global engagement

From announcing a new voluntary sustainability standard, to educating millions of consumers, last year marked multiple successes with an eye on the future to enhance people’s lives and the environment with organic textiles.

Coming out of another consecutively strong year for GOTS, 2024 culminated with 26 GOTS-approved certification bodies reporting a noteworthy 15,441 certified facilities (an increase of 5.2% from 2023) in 87 countries.

“The necessity of our work was compounded in 2024 due to evolving regulations concerning value chains around the world, especially in Europe. Already central to driving impact and progress, voluntary sustainability standards are now emerging as strategic tools for compliance - underscoring their evolving role in leading sustainable transformation. said Claudia Kersten, Managing Director of Global Standard. “Whether it is human rights due diligence or using the latest technology to strengthen integrity, Global Standard and its experts remain at the forefront.”

Cementing GOTS Version 7.0 and commencing Version 8.0

GOTS Version 7.0 – released in March 2023 with the strongest iteration of GOTS due diligence yet – was fully implemented 1 March 2024. Beyond creating online trainings to assist GOTS-certified entities with the due diligence requirements, Global Standard released in November 2024 a comprehensive Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors.

Not long after the formal launch of Version 7.0, work began on setting up the 25-member Standard Revision Committee for GOTS Version 8.0, which is currently in its first public consultation phase. Version 8.0 will include provisions on the circular economy, mitigation of climate change-related issues that affect the well-being of workers and further improvements to the due diligence criteria.

Expanding on a proven foundation

Global Standard, recognising the growing demand for comprehensive sustainability frameworks, is evolving to become a voluntary sustainability standard setter. For the first time in its 22-year history, Global Standard in 2024 revised the organisation’s Vision and Mission to expand beyond a single standard. This strategic shift in expanding its scope will provide tailored sustainability solutions across various areas of the textile industry.

“By building on the success and value of GOTS, we aim to strengthen Global Standard’s impact, support diverse sustainability challenges and empower stakeholders across global value chains,” said Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director of Global Standard.

Following ISEAL principles, the new standards will be released for public comment in 2025 with final release to follow.

An eye in the sky to prevent fraud

In September 2024, Global Standard, the European Space Agency and AI firm Marple unveiled the results of the revolutionary Satellite Cotton Monitoring Project in India, which demonstrated a 97% accuracy rate in detecting cotton fields and over 80% accuracy in determining their organic status.

This innovative project, co-financed by Global Standard and the European Space Agency’s Business Applications and Space Solutions programme, addresses critical challenges in the industry, aims to increase organic cotton availability by facilitating the organic certification process for farms, and has the potential to secure fibre integrity. Global Standard is eager to see this technology extend to other regions and additional fibres, which could revolutionise how crops are monitored.

Educating millions of consumers

In its ongoing commitment to stakeholder and consumer education, Global Standard took its #BehindTheSeams campaign to new heights by extending it to a full month, reaching more than 70 million people worldwide and seeing 265 GOTS brands participate. Throughout September 2024, consumers visited behindtheseams.eco to answer trivia questions for entry into grand-prize drawings of a trip to Paris or a new mattress. In addition, daily social media giveaways from GOTS-certified brands increased consumer-brand engagement while educating the public about the importance of organics.