The Materials Matter Standard is a voluntary sustainability standard for the production and initial processing of raw materials
Known as “the unified standard” during its development, the Materials Matter Standard aligns the fashion, textile, and apparel industry on a shared trajectory by establishing what best practice looks like for different materials in various settings, from farms to recycling facilities.
Ultimately, its goal is to incentivize a system in which the materials in our clothing and textiles support the climate, respect human rights and animal welfare, and drive beneficial outcomes for soil health, water, and biodiversity.
DOWNLOAD
Explore the pilot criteria
Following invaluable feedback from stakeholders, the Materials Matter Standard Pilot Version V1.0 was released publicly on June 4, 2024. This version will be used for pilot testing the feasibility of the criteria in the field and is not effective, meaning it is not possible for companies to get certified to this version.
MATERIAL-SPECIFIC CRITERIA
Explore the pilot criteria for different materials
Materials Matter Standard Pilot V1.0 – Criteria for Sheep Wool
Materials Matter Standard Pilot V1.0 – Criteria for Recycled and MMCF
Materials Matter Standard Pilot V1.0 – Criteria for Mohair
Materials Matter Standard Pilot V1.0 – Criteria for Down
Materials Matter Standard Pilot V1.0 – Criteria for Alpaca
Materials Matter Standard Pilot V1.0 – Criteria for Sheep Wool and Alpaca (Spanish)
CHANGES
What is changing for Textile Exchange’s standards system?
Aligning our approach to climate and nature
All of Textile Exchange’s current material-specific standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), and Responsible Down Standard (RDS), were developed independently and operate uniquely in terms of structure and reach. Each standard also incorporates its unique focus areas. For this reason, the journey towards unifying Textile Exchange’s standards system has focused on exploring where it is relevant and meaningful to incorporate climate and nature impact areas across all materials in scope, addressing how the material is managed on the ground as well as in the first processing stage.
Addressing multiple materials under the same framework
Materials covered by the Materials Matter Standard pilot testing version include recycled materials (synthetics, natural materials, and recycled MMCF), and animal fibers and materials (wool, alpaca, mohair, skins, and down). We are reviewing opportunities for additional raw materials through the recognition of other standards systems. You can learn more about this in the Quick Guide to the Materials Matter Standard.
Maintaining our chain of custody model
Materials certified to the Materials Matter Standard will be tracked through the supply chain with our pre-existing chain of custody standard: the Content Claim Standard (CCS). While the CCS continues to provide the mechanism for tracking and handling the certified inputs through to the finished product, the Materials Matter Standard impact criteria cover the raw material production and the first processing stage of the supply chain.
SUMMARY PAPERS
Use our summaries to navigate the criteria
We have created material-specific guidance to help stakeholders review the Materials Matter Standard Pilot Version 1.0. These documents share a high-level explanation of the main changes drafted across different criteria categories, as well as guidance on how to go through the pilot document and what to look for based on industry specifics.
Mapping
Compare old and new standards criteria
To support certified organizations in navigating the transition to the Materials Matter Standard, we have developed a comprehensive spreadsheet mapping its criteria to our current standards. This tool is designed to provide clarity and guidance, helping organizations understand how the standard aligns with and differs from those that they are accustomed to.
TIMELINE
We are currently piloting the standard around the globe to test the criteria and gather useful feedback
The journey towards creating the Materials Matter Standard began with the approval of the public project plan by an International Working Group in 2021. During the development process, two drafts of the standard were made available for public consultation from May to July and October to November 2023.
2024 will now be focused on pilot testing, the preparation of supplementary documentation, and outreach events to raise awareness among users of our standards. Pilot testing will help us to assess key questions around the feasibility of the criteria, how certification bodies can audit against the standard, and whether it achieves the impact we want to see. We’ll also be testing key changes between the Materials Matter Standard and our existing system, as well as checking how feasible it is to collect, record, monitor, and report data.
Learnings from these activities will be used to refine criteria and related policies for the final version of the standard which will be published in 2025.
LEARN MORE
Read the quick guide
Download our quick guide to learn more about Textile Exchange’s transition to a unified standards system.