The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has announced that it has officially started the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Alignment Assessment process for GOTS’ version 7.0. This is a move to reinforce its commitment to responsible due diligence in the garment and footwear supply chains as well as a way of showcasing its dedication to sustainable practices outlined in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
GOTS is the leading processing standard for organic textiles. Version 7.0 gives textile companies access to a six-step due diligence process which allows them to eliminate problems along their supply chains. It is another way GOTS helps companies comply with changing regulations, such as those governing chemicals or social issues. This underlines GOTS’ position as a tool in compliance and due diligence as outlined by national and EU laws.
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The OECD Alignment Assessment is a three-stage process that includes Standards, Implementation and Credibility Assessments, and is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. It began in July of this year and will be completed in January 2024.
According to Ruslan Alyamkin, responsible for standard development and implementation (social responsibility) at GOTS, these assessments can be transformative. “The due diligence criteria are not just guidelines they are a powerful tool for real change,” he said. “They empower companies to make informed and ethical decisions, helping to shape a textile industry that respects human rights and cares for our planet.”
Legislation worldwide increasingly emphasizes respectful human rights practices in business. Examples of this are Germany’s Supply Chain Act (LKSG), France’s Vigilance Act, Norway’s Transparency Act, the Dutch Child Labor Due Diligence Act, and the UK Modern Slavery Act, all of which emphasize the need for rigorous regulation of human rights abuses and environmental concerns. As testament to the importance of the issues, the European Union has also adopted a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence to keep the issues of human rights and the environment in the spotlight.
These are voluntary standards maintained by GOTS for more than 20 years in an effort to help companies comply with the rules. In doing so, it sets the standard for responsible and sustainable business in the textile sector.
