standard glossary text
")) requires the certification of all processing stages, from the first processing of responsible fibre to the finished product. Every company involved must comply with the same criteria. This ensures integrity across the entire supply chain and prevents partial or misleading claims. [Responsible fibre requirements ](#)GRTS applies to products made with at least 90% certified responsible fibres. GRTS does not create new fibre production [standards](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/standard "standard glossary text
"). Instead, it recognises fibres certified to approved third-party responsible fibre production standards that meet defined environmental, social and [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.
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)
") requirements - restrictions on highly hazardous pesticides - animal welfare safeguards, including no [mulesing](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/mulesing "Removal of wool-bearing strips of skin from the breech area of sheep intended to avoid problems of flystrike. This includes any type of breech modification, including freeze branding/steining.
") - environmentally sound and resource-efficient production processes where applicable - responsible sourcing requirements for forestry-based and bio-based materials 2.2 Eligible fibre categories for GRTS include: - natural plant and animal fibres - regenerated cellulosic fibres - recycled natural and synthetic fibres - biopolymers - certified [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.
A product from an operation or portion thereof which has completed at least 12 months under organic management and is under the supervision of an Approved Certifier.
") fibres below [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.
") thresholds This approach enables broad fibre flexibility while maintaining strict environmental, social and traceability requirements across the entire processing and manufacturing supply chain. [Environmental criteria ](#)GRTS applies strict environmental requirements throughout textile processing, key areas include: - Chemical [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.
") restrictions - Wastewater treatment and textile waste management - GHG emission management - Packaging criteria - Product safety and durability requirements [Chemical compliance criteria ](#)GOTS applies strict chemical input management requirements, permitting only approved [substances](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/substances "Chemical elements and their compounds as they occur in the natural state or as produced by industry.
") listed on the GOTS [Positive List](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/positive-list "GOTS Positive List contains GOTS-compliant chemical products which are evaluated and approved by GOTS approved chemical auditors. The List provides trade names of the chemicals and immediate access to all chemical Inputs which are allowed to use GOTS products.
"). Each chemical is rigorously assessed against, hazard profile, safety and toxicity requirements. [Human rights including social criteria ](#)GRTS includes comprehensive [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)
") including social criteria aligned with internationally recognised norms and frameworks. Social criteria for GRTS cover: - Safe and hygienic working conditions - Prohibition of child labour and forced labour - Non-discrimination, harassment and violence - Freedom of association and collective bargaining Working time, remuneration, and responsible employment practices. These criteria help safeguard [workers](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/worker "Any individual engaged in work who is not a senior manager or owner.
")’ rights and support more responsible practices across certified textile supply chains. [Independent third-party certification ](#)Certification is conducted by accredited Certification Bodies through regular on-[site](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/site "An individual establishment where chemical Inputs are formulated (see Formulator) and produced. It is included in a Letter of Approval and audited by a Scope 4 Approved Certifier.
") [audits](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').
"). These audits verify compliance with all GRTS criteria across the supply chain. [Traceability and transaction certification ](#)GRTS ensures full traceability through documented and verified product flows. [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.
") confirm that materials and products move through certified supply chains. [Due diligence and compliance framework ](#)GRTS integrates a structured due diligence approach aligned with international frameworks and evolving regulatory expectations. 8.1 The GRTS process supports companies in - identifying and assessing actual and potential risks - taking appropriate prevention and mitigation measures - strengthening supply chain governance Preparing for better compliance with regulatory requirements, this supports companies in responding to evolving environmental and human rights due diligence legislation. ## The result Reduced complexity, increased transparency and reliable certification. ## Learn more about GRTS - [Why GRTS](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1366) - [How the GRTS programme works](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1367) - [What are the benefits of GRTS](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1369) - [Correct GRTS labelling](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1371) - [Access all FAQs](https://gots.vorschau.website/index.php?Itemid=1395) ## FAQs [Do all suppliers in the supply chain need to be GRTS-certified? ](#)Yes. To sell a product as GRTS-certified, each company involved in the processing of the product must be certified by an approved independent [Certification Body](https://gots.vorschau.website/resources/glossary/certification-body "A Certification Body, having been duly accredited by an Accreditation Body and by way of signing a contract with Global Standard gGmbH has been permitted to implement the Global Organic Textile Standard over a designated geographical area and for specific scopes of the Standard.
"). This creates one consistent and traceable system from fibre processing to finished product. [How does GRTS verify product integrity and traceability? ](#)A combination of tried-and-tested integrity measures and cutting-edge technologies ensures the transparency, credibility and trust of GOTS certified products. Like GOTS, GRTS combines independent certification, annual on-site audits, transaction verification, publicly disclosed enforcement measures and strict chain-of-custody requirements to ensure integrity and traceability throughout the entire supply chain. Unlike systems based on mass balance approaches, GRTS uses physical segregation 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.
") mechanisms designed to maintain product integrity across all processing and trading stages.