Is Your Business Eligible for Materials Matter Certification? A Quick Guide to the New TE-MM-POL-101 Regulation
On April 1, 2026, Textile Exchange (TE) officially released the core policy document under the Materials Matter standard system - "Materials Matter Scope and Eligibility Policy" (TE-MM-POL-101-V1.0).
This means that the sustainable certification in the textile industry has officially entered the "Materials Matter" era. As a certification body, we are the first to sort out the core changes and key implementation points of this policy for you. This document is the "cornerstone" for enterprises to determine whether they have the qualification for certification and how to define the scope of certification.
Please ensure that relevant enterprises pay close attention to the updated contents of the following four core sections.
I. Policy Overview and Implementation Timeline
TE-MM-POL-101 is the "Constitution" level document of the Materials Matter standard system. It not only defines who can apply for certification but also clarifies the boundaries of certification and the core responsibilities of enterprises.
Release Date: April 1, 2026
Effective Date (Mandatory Implementation): December 31, 2026
The certification body reminds: From now until the end of the year, it is the golden window period for enterprises to adjust their internal management systems and conduct self-inspections in accordance with the new standards.
II. Who Can Apply? (Detailed Qualification Scope)
According to the new policy, we can categorize the entities applying for certification into three major types. Please have enterprises conduct self-checks in accordance with the following:
Animal Materials
Applicable to producers of alpaca, mohair, wool, and hide/raw hide.
Key change: The policy explicitly includes primary processing (such as washing, carbonization, and combing procedures) within the certification scope of the MM standard. This means that every stage from the pasture to the pre-spinning stage must comply with stricter animal welfare and environmental requirements.
Recycled Materials
Applicable to: Organizations involved in material recycling.
The breakthrough in defining the difficult points: The new policy has refined the definition of "primary processing", especially for different processes such as physical recycling, thermomechanical recycling, and chemical recycling, clearly specifying which steps fall under "primary processing" (which must comply with the MM standard).
It should be particularly noted that although collectors and concentrators of waste materials are not subject to mandatory certification, the new policy encourages them to undergo voluntary certification to enhance the transparency of the supply chain.
III. Certification Mode: Which Path Is Right for You?
This means that the sustainable certification in the textile industry has officially entered the "Materials Matter" era. As a certification body, we are the first to sort out the core changes and key implementation points of this policy for you. This document is the "cornerstone" for enterprises to determine whether they have the qualification for certification and how to define the scope of certification.
Please ensure that relevant enterprises pay close attention to the updated contents of the following four core sections.
I. Policy Overview and Implementation Timeline
TE-MM-POL-101 is the "Constitution" level document of the Materials Matter standard system. It not only defines who can apply for certification but also clarifies the boundaries of certification and the core responsibilities of enterprises.
Release Date: April 1, 2026
Effective Date (Mandatory Implementation): December 31, 2026
The certification body reminds: From now until the end of the year, it is the golden window period for enterprises to adjust their internal management systems and conduct self-inspections in accordance with the new standards.
II. Who Can Apply? (Detailed Qualification Scope)
According to the new policy, we can categorize the entities applying for certification into three major types. Please have enterprises conduct self-checks in accordance with the following:
Animal Materials
Applicable to producers of alpaca, mohair, wool, and hide/raw hide.
Key change: The policy explicitly includes primary processing (such as washing, carbonization, and combing procedures) within the certification scope of the MM standard. This means that every stage from the pasture to the pre-spinning stage must comply with stricter animal welfare and environmental requirements.
Recycled Materials
Applicable to: Organizations involved in material recycling.
The breakthrough in defining the difficult points: The new policy has refined the definition of "primary processing", especially for different processes such as physical recycling, thermomechanical recycling, and chemical recycling, clearly specifying which steps fall under "primary processing" (which must comply with the MM standard).
It should be particularly noted that although collectors and concentrators of waste materials are not subject to mandatory certification, the new policy encourages them to undergo voluntary certification to enhance the transparency of the supply chain.
III. Certification Mode: Which Path Is Right for You?
| Authentication type | Applicable scenarios | Note |
| Independent certification | A single farm or an independently operated factory | The most basic authentication method |
| Farm Group Certification | Qualified farm groups (including small-scale farmers) | A clear group management system needs to be established. |
| Multi-site/Group Authentication | Organizations with multiple branch factories or supply chain clusters | It is necessary to prove that each venue meets the unified standards. |
IV. Compliance Red Lines from the Perspective of Certification Bodies
As a certification body, we will focus on the following three mandatory requirements. Please ensure that your enterprise has implemented them before applying for certification.
1. Banned Entities List
The policy clearly states that organizations listed on the TE "Banned Entities Log" are absolutely prohibited from obtaining certification. This usually involves serious fraud, data falsification or human rights violations.
Compliance recommendation: Enterprises should establish a sound screening mechanism for supplier access to ensure that there are no "blacklisted" enterprises in the upstream.
2. Comprehensive Legal Compliance Principle
The strictest principle takes effect: enterprises must abide by the laws and regulations of the country where they are located. If local laws are stricter than MM standards, then the laws shall be followed; if MM standards are stricter, then the standards shall be implemented.
Red line warning: Any violation of applicable laws (such as environmental protection laws and labor laws) will directly result in the revocation of the certification.
3. Data Transparency and the Trackit System
Digitalization requirement: All certification data must be entered into TE's Trackit platform. Each facility will be assigned a unique TE-ID.
The key points of the review: We will verify the authenticity of the data entered by the enterprise. Any false records or misleading information will be regarded as a major nonconformity.
About Cotecna Kaixin Certification
Beijing Cotecna Kaixin Certification Co., Ltd. (BCK) is a third-party certification body accredited by CNAS and ANAB. Focusing on providing certification services covering quality and safety, agri-food products, intellectual property, information security, energy, and sustainability, we have served over 20,000 clients, and remains committed to delivering premium and efficient service to clients, contributing to economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility.