Better Cotton
Better Cotton is the name for an international initiative aimed at the continuous improvement of the environmental, social, and economic aspects of cotton cultivation, as well as the cotton sourced through its system.
Contents5 sections
Definition and Overview
Better Cotton is not a name that classifies cotton by a specific variety or physical property; it is a system that supports improvements in cotton production. It presents principles and improvement approaches for cotton farmers regarding pesticide and water management, soil health, labor conditions, and business management.
When a textile or product is described as “cotton sourced through BCI,” it means that the procurement of raw cotton is related to this initiative. It does not directly guarantee qualities such as the textile’s weave structure, yarn count, texture, or strength.
Scope and Approach to Standards
The scope is mainly the cotton cultivation stage, and it is not a system that simply requires cotton not to be grown with pesticides. Its defining feature is an emphasis on continuously working toward better cultivation methods according to the production region and the farmers’ circumstances.
The farmer-side initiatives and the records of sourcing and transactions in the supply chain must be verified separately. The range and method by which the raw material can be traced back to a specific farm vary depending on the sourcing model and the system applied.
- In environmental terms, it covers management of water, pesticides, soil, biodiversity, and more.
- In social terms, it covers labor conditions, safety, and consideration for local communities.
- In economic terms, it also addresses improvements in farmers’ productivity and business management.
Points to Check for Procurement and Product Development
When procuring textiles, confirm with the supplier how far the “Better Cotton” designation applies: to raw cotton, yarn, textile, or the finished product. It is important to compare the blend ratio, applicable lot, sourcing method, and presence or absence of transaction documents against the specifications and purchase order.
In product planning, if polyester or other materials are blended in addition to cotton, organize the explanation of Better Cotton separately from the blend ratio of the entire product. Manage the wording used on hangtags, product pages, and care tags so that it does not conflict with the supporting documents.
- The proportion of cotton covered and the blend ratio of the entire product
- The applicable lot, order quantity, and the item name on the documents
- The permitted wording, logo, and hangtag conditions
- How to store transaction records, including subcontractors
Labeling and Differences from Similar Systems
It is important not to understand Better Cotton as a system that gives quality certification to the finished textile or product itself. The use of labels and logos may involve conditions and approval procedures defined by the initiative, so do not judge whether labeling is allowed based only on the supplier’s explanation.
Organic cotton refers to cotton based on standards for organic cultivation, so its purpose and management system differ from Better Cotton. GOTS is a standard that also covers processing and distribution processes, mainly for organic fibers, and it is not the same certification as BCI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Better Cotton the same as organic cotton?
No, it is not the same. Better Cotton is an initiative aimed at improving the environmental, social, and economic aspects of cotton cultivation. Organic cotton, on the other hand, refers to cotton that complies with standards for organic cultivation. In product descriptions, do not treat the two as synonyms; distinguish them based on the supplier’s supporting documents.
If cotton is sourced through BCI, can the product be labeled Better Cotton?
Not necessarily. Depending on the sourcing model, applicable quantity, transaction records, and the registration status of the brand or seller, the permitted wording and logo conditions may differ. Before productization, confirm the official labeling rules for the initiative with the supplier and retain the approval records.
Is Better Cotton textile high quality?
Being Better Cotton does not by itself guarantee the textile’s strength, whiteness, texture, shrinkage, or other characteristics. Depending on the intended use, check standard textile specifications such as weave, blend ratio, fabric weight, colorfastness, and shrinkage. For ongoing production, matching the applicable lot with the quality sample is also important.
