Supporting the next evolution in responsible materials certification
The Materials Matter Standard (MMS) is Textile Exchange’s new voluntary sustainability standard for the production and primary processing of raw materials used in the fashion, textile and apparel industry. It establishes a shared framework designed to support positive outcomes for climate, nature, people and animals.
Intertek is approved by Textile Exchange for continued licensing as a Certification Body through the transition to the Materials Matter Standard, representing recognition of our compliance and readiness under the MMS framework.
Building on Intertek’s established Textile Exchange certification services, MMS further strengthens our ability to support organizations as the industry transitions towards a more unified approach to responsible materials certification.
What is the Materials Matter Standard?
The Materials Matter Standard brings Textile Exchange’s standards together under a more coherent vision for responsible raw material production. It establishes detailed requirements covering areas including:
- Land, water and energy use
- Working conditions
- Animal welfare
- Emissions
- Chemicals
- Waste management
The standard combines practice-based and outcome-based criteria and focuses particularly on the production and primary processing stages of the supply chain.
The first edition covers materials within Textile Exchange’s existing Responsible Animal Fiber framework, including wool, alpaca and mohair, as well as recycled materials currently covered by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS).
Textile Exchange’s Content Claim Standard (CCS) will continue to support chain of custody and product claims, while MMS focuses more directly on impact at the raw material and primary processing stages.
Why is Textile Exchange introducing MMS?
For more than 20 years, Textile Exchange has developed and maintained material sustainability standards. MMS is designed to bring greater alignment across these standards, providing the industry with a common direction and a more coherent, science-aligned approach to measuring and verifying impact.
MMS sits at the centre of the wider Materials Matter system, which connects the standard with policies, third-party assurance, claims and traceability tools to support the credibility of certified products reaching the market.
For brands and retailers, certification also provides a framework for substantiating materials-related claims.
When does the Materials Matter Standard take effect?
The MMS transition follows a phased timeline, with key milestones for certified organizations and applicants:
31 December 2026
The Materials Matter Standard becomes effective. Organizations can begin being audited against MMS or continue to be audited against the current standards.
31 December 2027
MMS becomes mandatory, with all Tier 4 audits from this date forward conducted against the Materials Matter Standard.
30 June 2029
All claims and labels must be aligned with the Materials Matter Standard.
Textile Exchange published its Materials Matter System Transition Policy on 1 April 2026 to outline requirements for certified organizations transitioning to the new standard.
Intertek and the Materials Matter Standard
Intertek has been approved by Textile Exchange for continued licensing as a Certification Body through the transition to MMS.
This new approval builds on our established Textile Exchange certification portfolio. Intertek already provides independent third-party certification against Textile Exchange standards including GRS, RCS, OCS, CCS and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards RWS, RMS and RAS, as well as specified RDS supply-chain scopes.
With MMS, we are ready to support organizations as Textile Exchange moves towards its new framework.
Why choose Intertek?
Independent third-party assurance
Intertek provides independent certification services against Textile Exchange standards.
Global and local expertise
Our network includes experts in textile processing, environmental, social and chemical management auditing, with local expertise in countries where suppliers operate.
Certification lifecycle support
Intertek's SourceClear platform provides visibility into certifications and supports Scope and Transaction Certification processes.
Established Textile Exchange experience
MMS complements our existing certification offering across multiple Textile Exchange standards.
Prepare for the transition to MMS
Whether your organization is currently certified against a relevant Textile Exchange standard or is exploring responsible materials certification for the first time, understanding the new MMS requirements and transition timeline will be important.
Intertek can provide independent certification services as the industry moves towards the new Materials Matter framework.
Want to understand what MMS means for your organization?
Watch our joint on-demand webinar with Textile Exchange and Intertek experts for an overview of the new standard, its transition and key considerations for the industry.
Our Certification Process
Audit Preparation
1. Application Submission
The first step to becoming certified is to fill out our Client Information Form, to best evaluate your requirements.
2. Quotation
Then we provide you with a quotation.
3. Contract Signing and Payment
4. Submit Documents
Client submits documents to Intertek for pre-assessment review.
Audit & Certification
5. Audit
Audit can be done onsite, remotely or hybrid depending on the site's risk level. Good preparation can speed up the certification process.
6. Audit Follow-up (if needed)
In case non-conformance(s) is found.
7. Certification Decision and Scope Certificate issuance in our SourceClear system
Audit results will be reviewed to make a final certification decision.
8. Transaction Certificate (Request & Issuance) throughout the certification cycle
Following the shipment of certified goods to the given standard, request a transaction certificate to provide valid documentation to your customer.
