Achieving our vision of a world where BCI Cotton is the norm and cotton farmers and their communities thrive takes a holistic approach and a rigorous standard to match.
A critical component of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Standard System is our Principles and Criteria (P&C), which lay out the global definition of BCI Cotton through six guiding principles.
By following these principles, BCI Farmers produce cotton in a way that is better for themselves, their communities and the environment.
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Additional Reference Documents
P&C v.3.1 – Indicators With Delayed Implementation Timeline 96.57 KB
P&C v.3.1 – Farm Data Requirements 189.07 KB
P&C v.3.1 – Highly Hazardous Pesticide Exceptional Use Process 292.03 KB
P&C v.3.1 – Highly Hazardous Pesticides List 143.92 KB
P&C v.3.1 – Prohibited Pesticides List 132.91 KB
P&C v.3.1 – High Environmental Hazard List 126.22 KB
P&C v.3.1 – CMR Pesticides List 130.10 KB
P&C v.3.1 – Indicator 2.4.2 Land Conversion Assessment Procedure Smallholders and Medium Farms 4.74 MB
P&C v.3.1 – Indicator 2.4.2 Land Conversion Assessment Procedure Large Farms 5.23 MB
Principles and Cross-Cutting Priorities
Our Principles and Criteria are structured around six Principles and the two Cross-cutting Priorities.
As compared to the previous version of the standard, version 3 of the P&C – released in 2023 – was streamlined, and requirements were strengthened across all thematic areas to ensure they continue to deliver relevant sustainability impact at field-level. The P&C v.3.0 included a strong focus on social impact, with new requirements around gender and livelihoods, and some major changes in the way we address Decent Work-related issues.
It continued to emphasise the importance of the sustainable use of Natural Resources and responsible Crop Protection measures, and it referred more explicitly to the adoption of measures related to climate action. The new Management principle helped build solid foundations for producers to thrive in all thematic areas, shifting the focus from practice adoption to tangible outcomes.
These Principles and Cross-cutting Priorities continue to apply under the P&C version 3.1, which retains the structure and content of the P&C v.3.0, with non-substantive changes, including clarifications in non-normative indicator guidance and copy-edits.
To read about the revision of our P&C and find previous versions of the document, scroll down.
Principles
Management: Cotton farming households have strong integrated farm management systems in place to ensure field-level sustainability impacts.
We support farming households in operating a well-informed, effective and inclusive management system that drives sustainability impact through continuous improvement and builds transparency and market trust. Good management includes ensuring that collaborative and inclusive approaches are centred, and that the two cross-cutting priorities gender equality and climate action are considered in all decision making.
Natural Resources: Cotton farming communities promote regenerative practices, enhance biodiversity and use land and water responsibly.
We support farmers in adopting key regenerative practices that improve their soil health, conserve and enhance biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and optimise the quality and availability of water. This is all while increasing crop yield, improving the resilience of farming communities to climate change, and helping mitigate the negative effects of farming on our climate. Together, these practices work to protect and improve the most vital resources to cotton farming communities.
Crop Protection: Cotton farming communities minimise the harmful impact of crop protection practices.
We support farmers in adopting crop protection strategies that are both economically viable and minimise risks to human health and the environment. This includes the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which promotes a combination of biological, cultural, and physical practices to reduce the need for synthetic pesticides. BCI also supports farming households in phasing out the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) and ensures that, where pesticides are used, they are handled, stored, and applied safely. Together, all these practices help protect and enhance natural resources, while improving the livelihoods of farming communities through increased yields, reduced input costs, and lower health risks.
Fibre Quality: Cotton farming communities care for and preserve fibre quality.
We support farmers in adopting locally relevant good practices from seed selection to harvest, storage and transport of their seed cotton to reduce man-made contamination and trash. These practices help produce a healthy and high-quality crop, enhancing the value of the cotton and leading to better prices for farmers. Fibre quality also contributes to market trust, recognition, and long-term demand.
Decent Work: Cotton farming communities promote decent work.
We support farmers in ensuring that all workers enjoy fair and safe working conditions. These include working environments that address risks of child labour, forced labour, workplace harassment, violence and discrimination. This also covers ensuring the freedom to organise and negotiate dignified conditions of employment and providing access to grievance mechanisms and remediation. It includes fair pay and equal opportunities for learning and progression, as well as addressing occupational health and safety risks. All of which ultimately help to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of farming communities.
Sustainable Livelihoods: Cotton farming communities have more sustainable livelihoods and resilience.
We work with farmers, workers and their families, particularly women and youth, to address key challenges and help them lead a decent and happy life that is resilient to external shocks.
Cross-Cutting Priorities
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Cotton farming communities build resilience to effects of climate change and support mitigating impacts of farming to the climate.
We support farmers in identifying and implementing locally relevant practices and activities which help farming communities to build resilience for effects of climate change and/or mitigate its effects across the P&C.
Gender Equality: Cotton farming communities work toward greater gender equality.
We work with farming communities to raise awareness and take measures towards better recognition and participation of women in all farm-level activities.
By following these principles, BCI Farmers produce cotton in a way that is better for themselves, their communities and the environment.
History and Revision
At the Better Cotton Initiative, we believe in continuous improvement at all levels of our work – including for ourselves.
In line with the ISEAL codes of good practices for voluntary standards, we periodically review our farm-level standard – the Principles and Criteria (P&C). This helps to ensure the requirements remain locally relevant, effective and up to date with innovative agricultural and social practices.
The BCI Principles and Criteria were first developed in 2010 with input from Regional Working Groups in Brazil, India, Pakistan and West and Central Africa, Advisory Committee members, BCI Partners (including experts and critical friends) and public consultation.
The Principles and Criteria were first published in 2010 and were formally revised between 2015 and 2017, and again between October 2021 and February 2023.
The goals of the 2021-2023 revision were to realign the P&C with new focus areas and approaches – including the BCI 2030 Strategy – to ensure it remains an effective tool to drive continuous improvement leading to field-level sustainability impact, and to address challenges and lessons learnt from the past.
The revised Principles and Criteria (P&C) v.3.0 received formal approval from the BCI Council on February 7, 2023, and became effective for licensing starting in the 2024/25 season.
The P&C v.3.1 was approved by the BCI Executive Group in March 2025 and became effective as of 1 April 2025. This version retains the structure and content of P&C v.3.0, with non-substantive changes, including clarifications in non-normative Indicator guidance and copy-edits.
The next revision of the Principles and Criteria is planned for 2028.
Credibility
The Better Cotton Initiative is ISEAL Code Compliant. Our system, including the BCI Principles and Criteria, has been independently evaluated against ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice. For more information, see isealalliance.org.
Contact Us
Questions, as well as suggestions for revisions or clarifications to the BCI Cotton Principles and Criteria, can be submitted at any time through our contact form.
Key Documents
Key Principles and Criteria Documents
Topic-Related Support Documents
P&C v.3.0 – Highly Hazardous Pesticide Exceptional Use Decisions 182.98 KB
2021-2023 Revision Documents
Principles and Criteria: 2021-2023 Revision – Standards Committee Terms of Reference 148.95 KB
Principles and Criteria: 2021-2023 Revision – Overview 191.38 KB
Principles and Criteria: 2021-2023 Revision – Public Consultation Summary of Feedback 9.56 MB
Principles and Criteria: 2021-2023 Revision – Consultation Draft 616.07 KB
2015-2017 Revision Documents
Principles and Criteria: 2015-17 Standard Setting and Revision Procedure 452.65 KB
Better Cotton P&C: 2015-17 Revision – Overview 161.78 KB
Principles and Criteria: 2015-17 Revision – Public Report 240.91 KB
Principles and Criteria: 2015-17 Revision – Synopsis 341.88 KB
Principles and Criteria 2015-17 Revision – Q&A 216.27 KB
Principles and Criteria: 2015-17 Revision Process 159.86 KB
