How will recognition of other standards work for new raw materials? 

We have determined there are raw materials that we currently do not include at the tier 4/raw material production level in our standards today but are strategic for measuring progress on our Climate+ goal and related targets. We also acknowledge there are sustainability systems owned by peer organizations that have already developed producer relationships and expertise for verification in this space. The draft framework for recognition partnerships proposes different models for collaboration:

Growth partnership: The sustainability system owner and Textile Exchange commit to developing and implementing a custom growth partnership model to align on area(s) of verification (e.g. sustainability standard) with the Climate+ goal, utilizing expertise and solutions between our organizations to drive faster impact through collaboration. 

Specified recognition: The sustainability system includes one or more area(s) of verification (e.g., specific standard criteria) that are aligned with unified standard core criteria for a defined impact area. Organizations holding certificates (or other forms of verification) with a sustainability system that has specified recognition may have their unified standard audit scope reduced, using the eligible external certificate as evidence of conformance with the specified unified standard criteria. 

Full recognition: The complete sustainability system, including area(s) of verification (e.g. its sustainability standard), is aligned with the Textile Exchange unified standard. Certified raw material from the recognized standard system may enter the unified standard supply chain as certified input, reducing audits at tier 4 (i.e., raw material production and, if applicable, at first processing), and enabling consistent claims for final products.