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.”
") and responsibility **** **2023 Highlights:** - [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.
") Version 7.0 released - GOTS certified entities grow by 8% and expand to 89 countries - GOTS releases Due Diligence Handbook for certified entities - Farm-Gin Registry implemented in India, creating a direct link and better evaluation of incoming data - GOTS collaborates with European Space Agency and Marple for AI [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.
standard glossary text
") for certified [organic fibres](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/organic-fibres "Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet
"), the Global Organic Textile [Standard](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
") (GOTS), managed by non-profit Global Standard, recognises 2023 as a year of significant milestones. From expansion of GOTS-certified facilities to the release of a new standard version, GOTS remained a beacon for businesses navigating changing legislation, social and environmental demands. Coming out of one of the strongest years for GOTS, 2023 culminated with 25 GOTS-approved certification bodies reporting a noteworthy 14,676 certified facilities (an 8% growth from 2022) in 89 countries. **Ushering in GOTS Version 7.0** As of 1 March, facilities that become GOTS-certified will operate under the new GOTS Version 7.0, released in March 2023 with a one-year [transition period](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/transition-period "The time period between the publication of a new version of the Standard and its effective date.
"). GOTS Version 7.0 and its accompanying [Implementation Manual](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/standard-and-manual/Manual_for_the_Implementation_of_GOTS_V7.0__SIGNED_.pdf) provides a comprehensive solution for companies who want to produce organic textiles and be supported to ensure compliance with 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)
") due diligence along the entire value chain, from field to finished product. “At GOTS’ core is providing solutions. GOTS was always instrumental for pioneers in the textile industry to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to sustainable value chains, as a risk management tool and for operational efficiency,” said Claudia Kersten, Managing Director of Global Standard. “With the new and upcoming supply chain regulations, GOTS acquired the additional role of helping companies show compliance with laws.” GOTS Version 7.0 also introduced a six-step due diligence process and [handbook](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/GOTS_Due_Diligence_Handbook_for_Certified_Entities_10.pdf) that equips GOTS-certified operations to proactively identify, assess and mitigate adverse impacts throughout their value chains. **Looking to the future** GOTS initiated in 2023 two major projects in India, the globe’s largest producer of organic cotton. The Farm-Gin Registry was introduced for the 2022-2023 harvest season, which acts as a link between farm and gin and is a tool to strengthen integrity by collecting organic raw seed cotton data producing farm or farm group. In a world first, GOTS, the European Space Agency (ESA) and software company Marple launched a new project that aims to show the potential for remote satellite monitoring of organic cotton cultivation systems. The project trained artificial intelligence (AI) to use ESA satellite data to detect cotton fields across India and automatically classify them according to their cultivation standard. By integrating standardised yield metrics, this innovative approach will enable GOTS to generate realistic estimates of organic cotton yields in specific areas. In addition, the project is expected to empower GOTS to recognise cotton fields that have not yet obtained organic certification but possess the potential for a transition to organic cultivation. The first results of the project will be announced in June. **Educating the consumer** GOTS, in its ongoing commitment to stakeholder education, orchestrated in November an immersive 360-degree awareness and educational campaign. Successfully engaging both consumers and industry professionals, the initiative shined a spotlight on GOTS-certified companies and their products, which empowered consumers to make more conscientious choices while shopping. With an impressive turnout of over 250 certified entities, the campaign made a significant global impact, reaching more than 21 million unique individuals worldwide. [Read the full 2023 Annual Report here](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/GOTS-Annual-Reports/GOTS_Annual_Report_2023.pdf). Regional versions: [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 D-AU-CH (German)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPressRelease_German.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 North and South America (English)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPR_Americas.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 UK (English)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPR_UK.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 China (Chinese)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPR_Chinese.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 South Asia (English)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPR_SouthAsia.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 Turkey (Turkish)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPR_Turkey.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 Africa (English)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2024_AnnualPR_Africa.pdf) [GOTS Annual Press Release 2023 Japan (Japanese)](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/resource-library/documents/PR/2023GOTSPress%20Release_Japan.pdf) [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)