#Sustainability

2026-07-09

Global Standards establishes new non-profit foundation to strengthen governance

Global Standards gGmbH, the nonprofit organisation behind the globally recognised Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), announced a new governance structure designed to support its long-term mission and reinforce organisational autonomy of its Voluntary Sustainability Standards and programmes.

The newly established Global Standards Foundation is the sole shareholder of the operating organisation, which was renamed Global Standards gGmbH. The new structure will ensure that strategic decisions are guided by independent expertise, to support a more sustainable textile sector, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A key feature of the new model is the establishment of a Governing Council as the organisation's strategic governing body. The inaugural Governing Council brings together four new outstanding independent experts alongside nominees from each of the four founding organisations and an independent chair, showcasing a global range of experience and expertise. All serve in a personal capacity, collectively extending Global Standards’ expertise across sustainability, governance, finance, certification and public policy:

Prof. Dr. Christian Berg, Member of the GLS Bank Investment Committee and of the German Association of the Club of Rome and former Chief Sustainability Architect, SAP

Pietro Bertazzi, Chief Policy, Projects and Interim Growth Officer at Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

James Cashmore, former Managing Director, Soil Association

Tom Chapman, co-CEO, Organic Trade Association

Herbert Ladwig (Governing Council Founding Chair), Policy & Legal Advisor, Global Standards gGmbH

Tsuyoshi Maeda, Founder and CEO, Team O-Three Co., Ltd., and Chair, Japan Organic Cotton Association

Nicole Pälicke, Director, People Wear Organic and Board Member, Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN)

Georg Schürmann, Chair, UmweltBank Supervisory Board, Member of Supervisory Board, Oikocredit and former Managing Director, Triodos Bank Germany

Laurence Tanty, former Chair of Fairtrade International Board

The new governance structure draws from more than 20 years of industry leadership and will support Global Standards' evolution to a multi-standard Voluntary Sustainability Standards organisation. Its portfolio today includes the worldwide recognised GOTS and the new Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), which expands to fibres beyond organic.

As expectations for Voluntary Sustainability Standards and regulatory requirements continue to intensify, the new foundation structure provides an independent governance model designed to meet those expectations while strengthening Global Standards’ ability to serve the textile sector over the long term.

Today, Global Standards is a team of around 50 professionals working around the world with a clear mission: “To ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities.”

This new structure is designed to serve that mission better — giving Global Standards the independence, stability, and accountability it needs to keep delivering meaningful impact across global textile value chains.

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

GOTS version 8.0 released: advanced supply chain accountability, from fibre to finished product

Global Standard is pleased to announce the release of GOTS Version 8.0, the latest update to the world's leading processing standard for organic textiles. The updated Standard strengthens requirements for air emissions and waste management, as well as criteria for product safety. It introduces new provisions on circularity, microfibre management and updates in residue testing. Version 8.0 also elevates due diligence obligations and formalises governance requirements, including ESG disclosure, anti-corruption policies and conflict-of-interest safeguards, to support credible, responsible business conduct.

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.