The China Cotton Association (CCA) recently unveiled the industry standard for sustainable production that focuses on the management and use of agricultural chemicals in cotton planting, ecological and environmental protection, cotton quality and other core issues related to sustainable agriculture. The standard will be effective from April 1.

The standard aims to help cotton producers adopt sustainable production and operation methods, meet the demands for high-quality cotton products, and increase cotton farmers' income, said the association.

It will play a vital part in the China Cotton Sustainable Development Program, it was quoted as saying by official Chinese media.

The CCA is a non-profit organization with more than 3,200 members, holding around 75 per cent of the country's market share.