News

After many years of successful cooperation, the Green Button’s collaboration with its issuing body RAL gGmbH ended in late June 2026. We would like to express our sincere thanks for the trusted partnership and the important contribution RAL has made over many years to the success of the Green Button. 

As the issuing body, RAL provided comprehensive advice and support to companies throughout the label licensing process, organized license issuance, managed the Green Button portal, and oversaw market surveillance for the Green Button. Through its commitment, the issuing body has played a key role in ensuring the label’s quality and credibility. 

To make processes even more efficient in the future and further strengthen direct exchange with companies, the previous tasks of the issuing body will largely be consolidated within the Green Button Secretariat. This will shorten decision pathways and enable even closer support for our licensees and applicants. 

One exception is the conclusion of license agreements: the management of the licensing process will in future be handled by our partner Assurance Services International (ASI). 

The issuing body is referenced in several normative Green Button documents. The Secretariat will now largely act as the issuing body, so no changes are required to the defined rules. In view of the Green Button Standard 3.0, normative documents that name the awarding body as an individual actor within the Green Button system will not be amended. Instead, a document explains the new allocation of responsibilities and applies in addition. You can find a link to this document here: https://gruener-knopf.de/media/1318/download  

Which sustainability efforts by Green Button-licensed companies have had the greatest impact on their supply chains? What new developments are shaping the Green Button? How can effective grievance mechanisms be firmly established throughout supply chains? 

These and many other questions took center stage at the recent Green Button Community Get-Together. In an intimate and exclusive setting, representatives from licensed companies, the Green Button Secretariat, and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) gathered in Bonn on the eve of the final roundtable. Their shared goal: to discuss practical solutions and network intensively in the spirit of collective learning. 

Together, participants looked at successful implementation examples from the supply chains of Green Button-certified companies. It quickly became clear that the challenges of implementing corporate due diligence are complex. That makes direct, confidential knowledge-sharing all the more valuable. In addition to celebrating shared successes, the event focused primarily on finding solution-oriented approaches to current obstacles. 

Practical Insights: Focus on Pakistan Case Study 

A particular highlight of the event was the presentation of findings from a recent case study in Pakistan, conducted by the WE Program in cooperation with Beirholm. Using a concrete example, they analysed the specific factors that either blocks or significantly enables progress in securing functional grievance mechanisms on the ground. 

The insights gained generated great interest and provided the community with valuable momentum for the strategic development and protection of their own sustainable supply chains. We would like to thank the WE Program for sharing these invaluable findings for the further development of sustainable supply chains. 

Dialogue and Outlook on the Latest Developments 

Beyond practical best practices, the meeting also provided a platform for a direct flow of information regarding the latest developments at the Green Button. Participants received first-hand insights into upcoming processes and strategic updates to the seal. 

Strong Network, Vibrant Community! 

Participants especially appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas in a small group setting, build connections, and deepen existing partnerships away from the dense main program. The format proved once again how crucial cooperation and support are for the transformation of the textile industry. The Green Button thrives on the ideas, questions, and feedback of its community. This willingness to speak openly about challenges and develop solutions together sends a strong signal of a trust-based community. 

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all participants for the open, trust-based discussions, the practical examples, and their ongoing joint commitment. We are already looking forward to more lively discussions and continuous exchange in our growing Green Button Community! 

On June 17, 2026, the three-month consultation period for the Green Button Standard 3.0 came to a close. More than 170 stakeholders provided feedback on the draft, thereby actively shaping the future of the Green Button. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all participants in the consultation process for their valuable contributions. It is only through their commitment that the Green Button remains feasible, effective, and future-proof! 

Your Participation

What happens next?

The revision of the Green Button Standard 3.0 is entering its next phase: the online consultation on the Green Button 3.0 Standard Draft is now open. Brands, producers, workers, consumers, civil society and academia are warmly invited to share their feedback and help shape the future criteria of the new standard. 

Your input will directly contribute to strengthening the Green Button standard and thus ensuring that the requirements are practical and effective in real-world textile supply chains. 

Why your participation matters
The Green Button standard aims to continuously improve responsible business practices, human rights and environmental protection in global textile supply chains. The revision of the Green Button 3.0 standard builds on previous experience and stakeholder feedback to further strengthen the requirements. 
 
Participating in the consultation also brings diverse perspectives, which help improve the quality of the standard, identify any potential blind spots, and close gaps in the criteria. 
 
This is your chance to bring about real world impact: early feedback accelerates progress, avoid costly rework and builds shared responsibility.Your feedback will ensure that the next generation of the Green Button standard continues to strengthen sustainable textile production and responsible supply chains. 
 
What’s different?
The Green Button 3.0 will include necessary adjustments to ensure that the standard is clear, impactful and future-proof. Important developments include a stronger emphasis on environmental due diligence, with climate, circular design, living wages and gender as key focus topics of the new revision. 

Strengthening alignment with international due diligence standards and legislation, as well as streamlining the indicators are furthur goals of the revision, with the aim of making the Green Button Standard easier to understand, while providing a solid foundation for third party evaluation. 

Timeline of the consultation
The online consultation on the Green Button 3.0 Standard Draft runs from March16th until June 17th. The revised standard is planned to enter into force in 2027, followed by a one-year transition period for companies. 

Participate Now 
All interested stakeholders are invited to participate and provide feedback on the draft standard 3.0. 

Read more information about the revision process here: Revision | Grüner Knopf