GCL International Expands Its Reach At Bharat Tex 2025
The biggest innovation we see is in minimizing water use during textile processing, says Rajesh S., Standard Manager, GCL International Ltd.
At the Bharat Tex 2025 exhibition, GCL International Ltd., a UK-based certification body, made its presence felt as it aimed to expand its market reach beyond South India. “We are doing well in the southern part of India, but now we want to explore the northern part,” said Rajesh S., Standard Manager at GCL International.
GCL International specializes in sustainability standards for the textile and chemical industries. “For textiles, we certify GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OCS (Organic Content Standard), GRS (Global Recycled Standard), and RCS (Recycled Claim Standard). The key difference between them is that while OCS and RCS focus on organic and recycled materials, GOTS and GRS incorporate social, environmental and chemical criteria,” Rajesh explained.
The organization also conducts environmental verifications, including Higg Index assessments. “Another emerging standard in the market is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which is gaining relevance due to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR),” he added. EUDR mandates compliance for wood-based products like viscose, lyocell, and modal imported into the EU, with a deadline set for December 31, 2025.
GCL International is an accredited certification body for Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). “We are one of the accredited certification bodies for BCI, just like for GOTS and GRS,” Rajesh clarified. Their certifications cover multiple regions, including the UK, Europe, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and other South Asia-Pacific nations.
With increasing global regulations like the EU’s REACH, the US’s TSCA, and India’s evolving compliance landscape, GCL International helps companies navigate these frameworks. “We offer ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) certification, which is equivalent to REACH compliance,” Rajesh noted. “Furthermore, ISEAL, a recognized global body, is now scrutinizing sustainability standards to ensure alignment with evolving due diligence regulations.”
As circularity gains momentum, GCL International is engaging with emerging standards. “We are in talks with a UK-based standard called WRAP, which focuses on circular economy practices. It involves product certification, lifecycle assessment and traceability,” Rajesh revealed. Amazon is currently running a pilot project with WRAP to test its viability.
Looking ahead, Rajesh believes innovations in textile chemicals will focus on reducing water consumption. “The biggest innovation we see is in minimizing water use during textile processing. Thousands of litres are used for a single textile product, so new technologies are aiming to cut down on this,” he pointed out.
Bharat Tex 2025: A Platform for Growth
GCL International’s participation in Bharat Tex 2025 is not only about certification promotion but also about market expansion. “We see a growing awareness among Indian manufacturers regarding sustainability standards like ZDHC and GOTS,” Rajesh noted. “Earlier, only Western markets were concerned with compliance, but now Indian businesses are also integrating these standards.”
The exhibition has been promising for GCL International. “On the first day itself we’ve had good visitor engagement. The kickstart has been positive, and we look forward to further interactions,” Rajesh concluded.
