standard glossary text
") gGmbH operates as a non-profit, with strategic guidance provided by its sole shareholder, the Global [Standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") Foundation. Through this independent organisational model, a single strategic governing body, the Governing Council, oversees the organisation’s operations. ## Governing Council The Governing Council is the Foundation’s governing body and is responsible for overseeing both the strategic direction and the ongoing management of its operating unit Global Standards gGmbH guided by Global Standards’ Vision and Mission. The Council consists of nine members drawn from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise relevant to Global Standards’ work. Members are elected through a defined process for fixed terms. The Council itself elects new members if members leave. Through its independent oversight, the Governing Council ensures that Global Standards remains accountable to its mission and operates in the public interest. ## [Certifiers Council](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/certifiers-council "A body or forum formed by one nominated person from each Approved Certification Body, convened by a desginated officer of Global Standard gGmbH (currently the Managing Director), to dicsuss matters of mutual interest.
") The independent, accredited Certification Bodies form the basis of the monitoring system for all Standards, currently [GOTS](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gots "The worldwide leading voluntary sustainability standard for the post-harvest textile value chain for certified organic fibres, covering environmental criteria, human rights, social criteria and business conduct.
") and GRTS. This serves to provide credible assurance of the certified textiles’ integrity. To facilitate their oversight, Global Standards has a Certifiers Council in which each [approved certification body](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/approved-certification-body "An Approved Certification Body or Approved Certifier is a certification body that has been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body. By signing a con tract with Global Standard gGmbH, they are permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard within a designated geographical area and for specific scopes of the Standard. An updated list of Approved Certifiers and their scopes is available on the GOTS Website.
") is represented by a responsible expert. The Certifiers Council has an advisory function regarding all issues related to the quality assurance of the Standards. The collaboration of all approved Certification Bodies, as well as with their Certifiers Council counterparts, provides a consistent interpretation of the criteria and requirements of the Standards. The Certifiers Council is coordinated by Managing Director Rahul Bhajekar. Documents: - [Code of Conduct ](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1388) - [Conflict of Interest Policy ](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1388)