The Global Standard, a non-profit organisation, has created a new voluntary textile standard called the GRTS (Global Responsible Textile Standard) to diversify sustainable practices. The aim of this standard is to include a wide variety of fabrics other than organic textiles in its purview and simultaneously maintain principles of ecology and fairness.
Additionally, the intention of the Global Standard is also to encourage companies focusing on responsible fibres to present their social and environmental goals. So, in order to formulate the new standards the non-profit organisation will also take inputs from the consumers, companies, and certification bodies, among other players. As per the consultation, the Global Standard will be looking to publish the GRTS Version 1.0 in Q4 of 2025.
With GRTS, the diverse range of fabrics will be brought under strict regulations and this new version will also be designed to optimise the process of certification and streamline regulatory needs, without any additional costs and intricacies.
As such, GRTS will capitalise on the expertise of the Global Standard and its shared principles will include transparency in value chain, prohibitions on chemical inputs, human rights adherence, due diligence in the risk assessment, mandatory sustainable practices, etc. Further, under GRTS, all the fabrics will be marked under the GFR (Global Fibre Registry), which will be duly verified by non-GMO compliance with stringent standards.
