standard glossary text
"), the organisation behind [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.
"), establishes new non-profit foundation to strengthen the independent governance of textile [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.”
") [standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") Stuttgart, Germany, 7 July 2026 – Global Standards gGmbH, the nonprofit organisation behind the globally recognised 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 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
") ([SDGs](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/sdgs "The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
")). 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. **About Global Standards Foundation** The Global Standards Foundation is an independent charitable foundation established under German law to provide independent long-term governance and stewardship for by Global Standards gGmbH and its activities. As the sole shareholder of Global Standards gGmbH, the Foundation supports the organisation's mission to drive positive social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related initiatives, including the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS). **About Global Standards gGmbH** Global Standards gGmbH is the nonprofit operating unit behind the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the world's leading processing standard for organic textiles, and the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), which applies the GOTS system to a broader range of responsible fibres. Global Standards is on a mission to ensure the highest level of positive social and environmental impact in textile value chains through voluntary sustainability standards and related activities. For more information, visit www.global-standards.org. **About Global Organic Textile Standard** The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), owned and operated by non-profit Global Standards gGmbH, is the world's leading processing standard for organic textile, from fibre to finished product. It sets strict environmental, [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)
"), social and business conduct criteria for the entire textile value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished product. GOTS certification ensures the integrity of finished organic textiles and provides comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. The rules and tools of GOTS certification help businesses comply with legal regulations while empowering **About Global Responsible Textile Standard** The Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) is a voluntary sustainability standard developed by Global Standards gGmbH, the non-profit operating unit behind the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). GRTS extends the proven GOTS system, including its strict environmental, human rights, social and business conduct criteria for the entire textile value chain, to a broader range of responsible fibres while providing comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. The rules and tools of GRTS certification help businesses comply with legal regulations while empowering them to further exceed requirements. For more information, visit www.global-standards.org. [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)