News

Corporate Update

Textile Exchange Pushes For Unified Standards With Materials Matter

• By  Textile Excellence
• December 31, 2025

Textile Exchange, a global non-profit, has released the final criteria for its Materials Matter Standard after five years of development, marking a major step toward a unified, impact-driven standards system for raw material production and primary processing in the textile industry. Development began in 2021, with the standard set to take effect on 31 December 2026. Certification will become mandatory from 31 December 2027, allowing organisations to continue using existing Textile Exchange standards during the transition period.

The first Materials Matter Standard covers materials previously included under the Responsible Animal Fiber framework - such as wool, alpaca, and mohair, as well as recycled materials certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claims Standard (RCS). Organic cotton will remain a core component, with the Organic Content Standard to be integrated through a phased transition.

Designed to align expectations and outcomes across material-specific standards, the framework offers a more coherent, science-aligned approach to measuring environmental and social impacts. It addresses land management, animal welfare, human rights, livelihoods, and primary processing, including water, chemicals, energy use, waste, and emissions management. 

The first Materials Matter Standard covers materials previously included under the Responsible Animal Fiber framework - such as wool, alpaca, and mohair, as well as recycled materials certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claims Standard (RCS). Organic cotton will remain a core component, with the Organic Content Standard to be integrated through a phased transition.