'Organic' is a regulated term used to distinguish systems of managed production and products derived therefrom that adhere to principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, and which are certified compliant to an organic standard's regulations by an Approved Certification Body.
GOTS defines organic textiles as being made with fibres from organic agriculture systems that are certified to one of the IFOAM Family of Standards, and that are processed in socially and ecologically responsible ways, in alignment with organic principles.
standard glossary text
") ([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.
")), has received an Impulse Grant from the [ISEAL Innovations Fund](https://www.isealalliance.org/innovations-standards/iseal-innovations-fund) to develop a continuous learning policy for GOTS auditors and a specialised training programme on [GOTS Due Diligence Criteria](https://gots.vorschau.website/the-standard/gots-key-features/due-diligence). These resources are another step by Global [Standard](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") to ensure progress is made on [human rights](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/human-rights "Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. (Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
") due diligence within the textile industry value chain. “The increasing demand for responsible and transparent supply chains requires auditors to have a deep understanding of human rights due diligence and its application in textile certification,” said Ruslan Alyamkin, Responsible, Standard Development and Implementation (Social Responsibility) at Global Standard. “With this project, we aim to equip GOTS auditors with the necessary expertise to assess compliance effectively, reinforcing the credibility of GOTS certification.” **Advancing GOTS auditor training: Key project objectives** Uncertainty surrounding evolving regulations, including the Corporate [Sustainability](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/sustainability "In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
") Due Diligence Directive (CSDD), and an overall lack of clarity within the industry about how to implement due diligence effectively can complicate compliance efforts in the textile value chain. This grant will facilitate the creation of the resources necessary for GOTS auditors to carry out their roles more confidently and effectively. The training initiative will focus on three main objectives: - Developing a continuous learning policy for GOTS auditors and creating a structured framework for ongoing professional development. - Designing a specialised training curriculum, focusing on equipping auditors with the necessary skills to assess compliance with GOTS Due Diligence Criteria. - Conducting a pilot training programme for approximately 30 auditors, incorporating feedback from certification bodies and real-world [audit](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/audit "A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the Standard's requirements (including environmental and social criteria) are fulfilled by a Certified Entity or applicant for the status of Certified Entity. Audits are conducted by Approved Certification Bodies (see 'Approved Certification Body').
") experiences to improve and refine the training approach. By leveraging best practices in human rights due diligence and incorporating insights from internationally recognised frameworks – including the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for [Responsible Business Conduct](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/responsible-business-conduct "A comprehensive approach to business operations that aligns with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. It encompasses a range of practices and policies that businesses should adopt to ensure they contribute positively to sustainable development, respect human rights, protect the environment and uphold ethical standards throughout their operations and supply chains.
"), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for the Garment and Footwear Sector and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – this programme will provide cutting-edge training to ensure auditors are fully prepared to verify due diligence compliance in the textile industry. **Strengthening the GOTS Due Diligence Framework** Global Standard has developed its own Due Diligence Framework, which comprises GOTS, the Manual for the Implementation of GOTS, the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Certified Entities and the GOTS Due Diligence Handbook for Auditors. This project is a significant step in enhancing the GOTS Due Diligence Framework, ensuring that GOTS-certified entities meet evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. “With mandatory human rights due diligence laws becoming more prevalent and setting higher standards for corporate accountability, the role of auditors in verifying compliance is more crucial than ever,” added Alyamkin. **Acknowledgement of funding support** This project is made possible thanks to a grant from the [ISEAL](https://www.isealalliance.org/) ISEAL Innovations Fund, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and UK International Development from the UK government. The project will be implemented in cooperation with [UpRights](https://www.uprights.org/), an organisation focused on the promotion of human rights. 25 February 2025 [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)