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Corporate Update

OECD Endorses GOTS Version 7.0 as Leading Due Diligence Standard in Textiles

• By  Textile Excellence
• July 17, 2025

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 7.0 has received a major endorsement from the OECD, demonstrating strong alignment with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. A comprehensive “standards-only” evaluation assessed 167 criteria with 69% fully aligned, 29% partially aligned, and only 2% not aligned collectively helped GOTS earning a solid “partially aligned” rating under OECD’s methodology.

Complete Due Diligence Coverage

The assessment confirmed GOTS addresses all six core due diligence steps outlined by the OECD: policy commitment, risk identification, risk prevention and mitigation, tracking, communication, and remediation. It applauded GOTS for applying these standards consistently across labour rights, environmental safeguards, and supply chain integrity.

Validation From Institutional Leaders

Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director of Global Standard, emphasised that OECD’s recognition underscores GOTS’s utility as a tool for managing human rights and environmental risks. Claudia Kersten, also at Global Standard, noted that the endorsement encourages more practical guidance and audit tools grounded in international expectations.

Impact On Certified Entities

OECD feedback highlighted GOTS’s inclusive approach to certification, covering everything from brands and traders to spinning and wet processing units. This widespread applicability reinforces GOTS’s role in embedding due diligence across all value chain tiers.

Moving Toward Version 8.0

In response to OECD recommendations, GOTS has already updated its implementation manual and due diligence handbook. Ongoing revision toward Version 8.0 aims to further integrate OECD-aligned improvements, including refined grievance mechanisms and clearer policy frameworks. GOTS’s endorsement by the OECD marks a significant milestone in textile sustainability, reinforcing its status as a benchmark standard for responsible business conduct across the organic textile value chain.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 7.0 has received a major endorsement from the OECD, demonstrating strong alignment with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. A comprehensive “standards-only” evaluation assessed 167 criteria with 69% fully aligned, 29% partially aligned, and only 2% not aligned collectively helped GOTS earning a solid “partially aligned” rating under OECD’s methodology.