Global Standard is joining the Make the Label Count coalition, bringing its expertise and leadership to ensure that perspectives from across the supply chain are considered and integrated.
Make the Label Count is a global alliance of stakeholders in the natural fibre industry, including producers, manufacturers, brands, standards organisations, and environmental advocates. The coalition aims to combat greenwashing and help consumers make informed textile choices.
Marie-Luise Pörtner, Global Standard’s global regulations specialist, stated: “GOTS, with more than 16,000 certified facilities, demonstrates that businesses want to prove their sustainability efforts and that people want to buy more environmentally friendly textiles—provided that the labels and claims are accurate and credible. Consumers can trust the GOTS label because of robust, verifiable ecological and human rights criteria throughout the textile production value chain, a strong due diligence commitment, and sustainability claims backed by independent third-party certification bodies.”
In December 2023, GOTS was included in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing. GOTS certification confirms the organic nature of textiles from raw material sourcing to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, culminating in transparent product labelling.
Launched in 2021, the Make the Label Count campaign seeks to refine the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology being developed for textiles. PEF aims to quantify a product’s environmental impact and provide consumers with reliable data. However, concerns have been raised about its current framework, which may inadvertently endorse unsustainable practices.
Critics highlight inconsistencies in system boundaries between natural and synthetic fibres and the exclusion of key factors such as microplastics and plastic waste. Without significant revisions, PEF could risk misleading consumers with EU-endorsed claims that do not align with true sustainability.
In December 2023, Better Cotton joined the Make the Label Count coalition, calling for a comprehensive review and revision of the European Commission’s PEF methodology for fashion and textiles.
