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 SUPPLY CHAINThe supply chain component of the Better Cotton System is designed to allow for the Better Cotton produced by a farmer to be available to interested retailers.  It will also increase transparency and traceability by developing and implementing procedures and systems as it coordinates and documents the transfer of cotton from the cotton field to ginning and pressing of a bale that contains only Better Cotton (noting that there may be residual cotton, ‘non’-Better Cotton, as there will not be a requirement to clean down the gin before ginning Better Cotton). The system and procedures need to be auditable and linkable to traceability systems that extend through the entire supply chain in order to connect supply with demand. Such a system allows supply chain actors more options to support the production of Better Cotton and communicate this support, thus ensuring a credible and cost-efficient supply chain system that promotes the adoption and expansion of Better Cotton. The supply chain for Better Cotton will link Better Cotton to the market by segregating Better Cotton from non-Better Cotton (“other cotton”) in the seed cotton segment of the supply chain. Once a bale of Better Cotton is formed, it will be given a unique identification that can then be used to track that cotton through the remainder of the supply chain using third-party track-and-trace systems. Thus, the supply chain for Better Cotton will enable end buyers to substantiate any claims they may make regarding their use of Better Cotton.
It is important to note that the BCI is not developing a labelling system whereby products containing Better Cotton can be labelled as such.
The elements of the supply chain for Better Cotton are underpinned by a number of important considerations: Minimising additional costs: Additional cost burdens on the supply chain participants should be minimised. Establishment of a common system, globally: BCI will implement one general system, irrespective of where the cotton is grown.
Regionally flexible: BCI will work to ensure that the supply chain for Better Cotton is flexible enough to take into account existing, regionally specific modes of operation regarding how cotton is stored, transported and ginned, so that existing commercial quantities or lots can be maintained when handling Better Cotton.
Scope: The BCI supply chain component will only operate up to the gin. Responsibility for tracking the bale of Better Cotton from the gin to the end consumer product will be the responsibility of the organisation interested in sourcing Better Cotton.
last update: 05 Feb. 10 |
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