What is the implementation timeline for these changes?

Following the release of the first two drafts, Textile Exchange published the Pilot Version 1.0 of the Materials Matter Standard on June 4, 2024. This version of the standard will be used for pilot testing the feasibility of the criteria in the field. We will conduct a full internal systems update to align with the new standard and update pre-existing documents to reflect the harmonized system. This will also provide the necessary implementation planning time for all stakeholders before the effective version of the standard is released.

Following pilot testing and system updates taking place this year, the final standard will be published in 2025. The final standard will state both an effective date and a mandatory date. The effective date is planned for Q1 2026 which means that auditing and certification may begin voluntarily when requested from approved certification bodies. The mandatory date will be no sooner than 12 months following the final standard publication date according to our standard-setting procedure. The mandatory date is expected mid-2026 and means that all applicable audits from that date onwards are required to be to the new standard. Existing standards superseded by the Materials Matter Standard will be retired on a transition timeline.

What are the differences between the published, effective, and mandatory dates?

The Pilot Version 1.0 of the Materials Matter Standard was released on June 4th, 2024, to be used for pilot testing feasibility of the criteria on the field.

· We will conduct full internal systems updates to align with the new standard, as well as provide the necessary implementation planning for all stakeholders in the system (e.g., taking adequate time to align across our assurance system, the accreditation and certification bodies’ systems, and for sites to prepare their operations to get certified).

· We will also update pre-existing documents to reflect the harmonized standards system.

The final standard is scheduled to be published in 2025. The final standard will state both an effective date and a mandatory date.

· The effective date is planned for Q1 2026 which means that auditing and certification may begin voluntarily when requested from approved certification bodies.

· The mandatory date will be no sooner than 12 months following the final standard publication date according to our standard-setting procedure. The mandatory date is expected mid-2026 and means that all applicable audits from that date onwards are required to be to the new standard. Existing standards superseded by the Materials Matter Standard will be retired on a transition timeline in alignment with the Materials Matter Standard mandatory deadlines.