standard glossary text
") (GRTS), a new [standard](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") for the processing of textiles made from fibres certified to third-party standards recognised by GRTS and covering a broad range of plant, animal, synthetic, man-made cellulosic and recycled fibres. GRTS has been developed based on decades of experience from the established Global [Organic](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/organic "'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.
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.
")). Until now, products outside GOTS’ organic fibre eligibility criteria had no equivalent certification route within the Global Standards system. GRTS meets a growing industry demand for a textile processing standard that defines environmental and [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)
") criteria for the processing and physical [traceability](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/traceability "The ability to trace the origin of an object back to its source.
In a GOTS context, the ability to trace a GOTS Good as it moves through its supply chain.
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.”
") Standard setter, we aim to ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains. GRTS is a strategic and exciting step for us. By offering a standard that covers fibres beyond organic and building it on the same system as GOTS, we support the industry's business case for sustainability and enable more positive impact together." **Independent third-party certification and physical traceability** GRTS sets defined environmental, chemical, human rights, business conduct, due diligence and traceability requirements. For fibres to enter the GRTS system, they must be certified to third-party fibre standards recognised by GRTS and meet social, ecological and traceability criteria, including the prohibition of highly hazardous chemicals and [GMOs](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/gmo "Organisms whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. (Source: EUR-Lex, Access to European Union law: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/genetically-modified-organisms-gmo.html)
"), chain of custody with identity preservation and the inclusion of social norms in fibre production, among others. Certification is carried out by accredited independent third-party bodies and is required at every stage of processing and trading. Chain-of-custody requirements, [transaction certificates](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/transaction-certificate "A document issued by a GOTS-approved Certification Body for GOTS-certified products, verifying their compliance with the Standard. It provides traceability by listing product details, shipment information and confirming integrity through volume reconciliation process.
") and [volume reconciliation](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/volume-reconciliation "Calculation process by which it is ascertained that output volumes of a product’s certified materials are compatible with their corresponding input volumes. Input volume and output volume of the certified material used for a product are compatible if their ratio falls within a given percentage range, which reflects estimated production losses specific to the production process of the particular product, and if the input volume can be demonstrated to have been available on stock.
") support the verification of certified fibre content throughout the supply chain. To qualify for GRTS certification, goods must contain at least 90% fibres certified to fibre standards recognised by GRTS. For companies already certified to GOTS, existing systems and procedures may make it easy for them to apply for and receive certification to GRTS. GRTS is fully operational, with 27 independent certification bodies accredited to certify against the standard. You can find out more about the new standard **[here](https://gots.vorschau.website/our-standards/grts)**[](https://gots.vorschau.website/our-standards/grts) **About Global Standards** Global Standards is the non-profit organisation that owns and operates the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). Global Standards’ mission is to ensure the highest level of social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities. **About Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)** The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a globally applied standard for the processing of textiles made with certified [organic fibres](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/organic-fibres "Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet
"). It sets rigorous, defined requirements covering environmental management, human rights, social and business conduct and traceability across the textile value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished product. **About Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS)** The Global Responsible Textile Standard is a voluntary sustainability standard developed by Global Standards to certify products made with fibres certified to third-party standards recognised under GRTS. It sets rigorous, defined requirements covering environmental and chemical management, human rights, social and business conduct and traceability across textile processing and manufacturing. [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)