# GOTS Revision process starts ![gots-logo cmyk.pfad revision](https://gots.vorschau.website/images/news/archiv/stories/newsletter/news_may2013/gots-logo_cmyk.pfad_revision.jpg) On 16th May 2013 the formal revision process to develop [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 4.0 started with an initial stakeholder [input](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/input "

General term for all Substances and Preparations directly applied as textile auxiliary agents, inks, dyes or pigments.

") period. Beside the members of the IWG and the [approved certifiers](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/approved-certifier "

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.

"), also nineteen stakeholder organisations which operate internationally with expertise in the field of [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.

") production, textile processing, textile chemistry and social criteria and representing the industry, NGOs and consumer interests in our program are invited to participate. Some of the topics that will be addressed in the revision are the development of more specific and applicable requirements for product groups of the non-garment sector (e.g. personal care products and mattresses), specifications of requirements for non-textile [accessories](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/accessories "

Items that are added to supplement GOTS Goods for required functional or for fashionable reasons. Most commonly used Accessories are listed in Section 3.3. Accessories also include trims, and in certain cases the two terms are used interchangeably depending on the specific component. The processing of those Accessories is not under the direct scope of the GOTS on-site certification system. GOTS criteria that applies to Accessories are listed in Sections 3.3 and 5.2.8.

") and the approach towards sustainable fibre developments (recycled fibres, regenerated fibres from organic/sustainable renewable sources). GOTS Version 4.0 is expected to be released in March 2014 followed by 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.

") for users of GOTS to fully comply with the new version. Details on the revision procedure, timetable and a list of the invited stakeholder organisations are [available here](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=144:revision-procedure&catid=38:thestandard&Itemid=256). [ Share this page ](#fs-toggle=share)