The new version was assessed through the OECD Alignment Assessment process, which involves evaluation on 167 criteria.
OECD said that GOTS Version 7.0 addresses all six steps of their due diligence guidance.
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The findings revealed that 69% of the criteria were fully aligned, 29% were partially aligned, and a mere 2% were not aligned.
As per the OECD’s scoring system, this equates to a “partially aligned” status. This distinction places GOTS among the leading initiatives evaluated thus far.
Global Standard managing director Rahul Bhajekar said: “This milestone underlines the strength of our due diligence requirements and our commitment to supporting companies in addressing human rights and environmental risks.
“The outcome of the OECD assessment confirms that GOTS is well-positioned to support companies in meeting global expectations for responsible business conduct.”
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By GlobalDataThe OECD Alignment Assessment found GOTS for its comprehensive approach to due diligence, which includes risk identification, prioritisation, mitigation, monitoring, communication, and remediation.
The assessment notes that GOTS sets uniform standards concerning labour rights, environmental concerns, and supply chain integrity.
Additionally, it highlights GOTS’ efforts to encourage responsible practices within certified companies’ operations as well as throughout their entire supply chains.
Global Standard Responsible, Standard Development and Implementation (Social Responsibility) Ruslan Alyamkin said: “This report represents a great achievement for GOTS and reaffirms our steady commitment to supporting human rights and environmental protection in textile supply chains worldwide.
“It validates GOTS as a system grounded in internationally recognised frameworks and confirms our Due Diligence Framework as an example of best practice in the industry.”
GOTS said that its Due Diligence Framework is developed in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). It offers companies a systematic and risk-oriented method to support human rights, environmental sustainability, and ethical governance along the textile value chain.
This acknowledgment enhances GOTS’s reputation as an international benchmark standard acknowledged by various institutions including the International Trade Centre, US Department of Agriculture, US Environmental Protection Agency, and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Global Standard managing director Claudia Kersten said: “This assessment by the OECD is an important validation of the direction we have taken. It encourages us to continue supporting our Certified Entities with practical guidance and strong due diligence tools grounded in international expectations.”
In February this year, GOTS secured an Impulse Grant by the ISEAL Innovations Fund to enhance auditor training and strengthen human rights due diligence in textile sourcing.
