Certification: Why Better Cotton is Making the Transition 

By Alan McClay, CEO at Better Cotton 

As the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, Better Cotton’s goal is to drive significant, lasting impact as we support the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton. In just 15 years, we have aligned more than a fifth of global cotton production with our standards by balancing rigorous assurance with an adaptable framework that works for farmers in various contexts.  

Our commitment to continuous improvement is a cornerstone of our strategic plans. That’s why our approach has always been about balancing robust assurance with fair costs for farmers and members. As part of this commitment, we have started the journey to become a certification scheme, ensuring that we meet new and emerging legislative requirements while maintaining a robust and credible standard.  

This approach, which places emphasis on the use of third parties to conduct assessments and make certification decisions, complements our existing assurance processes by adding a layer of independence and credibility. 

It is encouraging to see momentum build in the external legislative landscape. Key EU regulations such as the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) align with our goals, and provide the additional impetus needed to advance our certification efforts.  

At this pivotal moment, we see third-party certification bodies as essential to bolstering the credibility of our work and amplifying the good work of cotton farmers globally. Our transition to certification, combined with evolving traceability capabilities, will not only strengthen the value chain, but also increase demand for more sustainable cotton.  

This journey will culminate in a new product label, enabling our network of retailers and brands to proudly showcase their commitment to sustainable cotton production. From farm to consumer, we are committed to catalysing the entire sector, supporting continuous improvement, and advancing the lives of cotton farmers worldwide.  

The success of this transition will be predicated on active engagement from all members across the supply chain. Whether you are a retailer, brand, or one of many valued supply chain actors, we are counting on your support to turn this into a reality. 

In the coming weeks and months, we will conduct public consultations on some of the changes to our assurance approaches and provide updates to our Chain of Custody and Claims Framework.  

Watch this space for more information on our journey to certification from our new Head of Certification, Tom Owen.  
 
Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this important new chapter in Better Cotton’s journey.  

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