Cotton sustainability initiative Better Cotton has revealed plans to broaden the sourcing of ‘Physical Better Cotton’ from additional countries and use more detailed data insights from the supply chain to enhance transparency for stakeholders.
The system, developed over three years with input from over 1,000 organisations, including fashion retailers and suppliers, enables the tracing of cotton throughout the supply chain and identifies its country of origin.
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The organisation also notes that the traceability system will play a critical role in adapting to new regulations impacting the industry, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Green Claims Directive.
Recent legislative developments align with Better Cotton’s goals and are expected to facilitate positive changes within the industry. The transition of all licensing decisions to third parties aims to enhance impartiality and add a layer of independence to the certification process.
‘Traceable (Physical) Better Cotton’ refers to cotton that has been physically tracked through the entire supply chain and is present in a product containing cotton.
The process has faced challenges; however, collaboration with the supply chain has shaped Better Cotton’s strategy and highlighted areas for future improvement.
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By GlobalDataThe organisation has collaborated with a network of retail and brand members, such as H&M Group, Marks & Spencer, Gap, Walmart, Target, Bestseller, and C&A, to help fashion companies trace and disclose the origin of raw materials. This collaboration also aims to support compliance with new and evolving regulations.
Key achievements since the launch of its traceability system include:
- Sourcing over 90,000kg of Physical Better Cotton by retailer and brand members, sufficient for approximately 300,000 T-shirts.
- Engagement of more than 400 ginners and 700 suppliers and manufacturers with the Chain of Custody Standard, which outlines requirements for handling Physical Better Cotton.
- Sourcing of Physical Better Cotton from countries such as India, Pakistan, China, Türkiye, Mali, Greece, Spain, Mozambique, Tajikistan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and the US.
Better Cotton traceability director Jacky Broomhead said: “The launch of Better Cotton Traceability was the organisation’s most ambitious project to date, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our committed network of members and peers that have helped shape the system to ensure it meets the needs of both our industry and Better Cotton licensed farmers.”
In April 2023, Better Cotton introduced a Chain of Custody Standard that specifies the criteria suppliers must meet to trade traceable cotton. This standard establishes the guidelines for ensuring proper tracking and handling of cotton throughout the supply chain.
