The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has welcomed the new framework recommendation by the European Commission’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Textiles (EPA), which aims to bolster the textile industry’s sustainability efforts.
The framework, outlined in a recent report, focuses on improving environmental and social criteria in textile production while enhancing transparency and traceability in global supply chains.
GOTS, a leading certification for organic textiles, expressed its support for the EPA’s emphasis on harmonizing sustainability standards across the European Union and beyond. The framework is designed to ensure that sustainability becomes a key pillar in the textile and fashion industries, which have long been associated with environmental challenges and labor concerns.
The recommendation includes guidelines for expanding the scope of sustainable textiles, addressing key issues such as water consumption, chemical management, carbon emissions, and fair working conditions.
It also calls for stronger verification mechanisms to ensure compliance, with a focus on improving certification systems like GOTS to promote transparency.
The European Commission’s Expert Panel highlighted that there is a pressing need for more robust policies that incentivize brands and manufacturers to adopt higher environmental and social standards.
This is expected to drive growth in the market for sustainably produced textiles and help align the EU’s textile industry with its broader climate and sustainability goals.
GOTS is well-positioned to align with these new regulatory frameworks, as its certification already incorporates stringent environmental and social criteria. As part of its commitment to sustainability, GOTS has long emphasized organic farming practices, fair labor conditions, and eco-friendly processing techniques across the textile supply chain.
The announcement of the EPA’s recommendation framework is seen as a positive step towards driving the global textile industry towards more sustainable practices.
GOTS and other certification bodies are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring that these standards are effectively implemented and adhered to in the coming years.
As the textile industry faces increasing pressure to improve its sustainability performance, the new framework and enhanced cooperation between industry stakeholders are key to ensuring that sustainability becomes the standard rather than the exception in textile production.
