The Aid by Trade Foundation has announced outstanding new verification results for The Good Cashmere Standard, confirming significant progress in sustainable cashmere production across Inner Mongolia. Independent audits conducted in 2024 and 2025 reaffirmed high compliance with criteria covering animal welfare, environmental protection and working conditions, strengthening the standard’s position as the leading benchmark for responsibly sourced cashmere.

Since its launch in 2020, GCS has stood out for offering full proof of origin and regular third-party auditing. Between 2023 and 2024, the share of textiles containing GCS-verified cashmere fibres grew by 30 percent and six million GCS-labelled garments reached the market in 2024. Alongside long-standing partners such as H&M, J.Crew and The White Company, new adopters now include Mango, Magasin, Marimekko and Nordstrom, reflecting rising global demand for traceable and ethically produced fibres.

Accredited auditors verified nearly 3,700 cashmere farms and twelve producers, all of which met 100 percent of the core indicators required to market fibres under the GCS label for the current season. Compliance with main and basic indicators also exceeded 90 percent, demonstrating ongoing improvement. The audits assessed 150 indicators spanning goat welfare, shearing practices, biodiversity protection, soil management and decent labour conditions.

The results highlight full compliance with social and environmental requirements, including working hours, employee complaint mechanisms and occupational health and safety. Animal welfare and management achieved a 92% compliance rate, with notable improvements in feeding practices, where all requirements were met—an increase of 15%. Rotational grazing, a key measure for preventing soil erosion, is now implemented by 88% of verified farms.

Although around 30% of farms did not pass verification this year, the Aid by Trade Foundation views this as evidence of robust enforcement. Areas for further improvement include more accurate documentation and ensuring sufficient indoor space for animals when required. GCS places strong emphasis on providing goats with adequate pasture access and well-managed stable environments.

Gudrun Kersten, verification manager at the Aid by Trade Foundation, states that the findings clearly demonstrate the value of close cooperation with farmers and producers. She notes that partners consistently show strong commitment to integrating GCS criteria into daily practice. Managing director Tina Stridde adds that strict verification and full transparency have made the standard highly attractive to fashion and textile companies seeking reliable traceability from finished products back to raw material.

The Aid by Trade Foundation continues to expand its portfolio of standards—including CmiA, CmiA Organic and the Regenerative Cotton Standard - to support resilience and sustainability across the textile value chain. Its mission remains to improve the welfare of people and animals while protecting the environment through practical, independently verified criteria.

www.thegoodcashmerestandard.org