Better Cotton announces revisions to Better Cotton Standard

Global non-profit organization, Better Cotton, is revising its Better Cotton Principles & Criteria, which are an important aspect of the Better Cotton Standard System.

Over 2.7 million cotton farmers employ the Better Cotton Standard System, which is designed to move the cotton industry toward a more sustainable and climate-friendly future.

Chelsea Reinhardt, Director of Standards and Assurance at Better Cotton, said that at Better Cotton, they believe in constant development – not only for Better Cotton Farmers but also for themselves. They periodically examine the Better Cotton Principles & Criteria in accordance with guidelines of good practices for voluntary standards. This ensures that they stay current with cutting-edge agricultural and social practices, as well as scientific and technology research.

Better Cotton explains that during the last five years, there has been a greater emphasis on issues like climate change, decent work, and soil health. The revision of the Principles & Criteria provides an opportunity to ensure that the Better Cotton Standard System is aligned with best practices and supports the initiative’s goals of driving field-level change.

Through seven guiding principles, the Better Cotton Principles & Criteria lay out the global definition of Better Cotton. Farmers can produce cotton in a way that is better for them, their communities, and the environment by following these principles.

All Better Cotton stakeholders, from producers and worker representatives to technical experts, other cotton initiatives, retailers, and brands, will be consulted and engaged throughout the revision process. From October 2021 until early 2023, the revision process is expected to take place. In late 2022, there will be a public consultation period. Better Cotton has stated that further information will be released closer to the consultation period.

Several technical working groups will assist in the revision process, working closely with Better Cotton to revise the present sustainability indicators under the Principles & Criteria.