The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced significant progress marking its first year since transitioning into an externally verified standard.
Certification by the Numbers
According to the data shared by BCI, major compliance milestones have been reached across the supply chain over the past year:
Over 3,000 cotton farms and production units have been successfully certified.
More than 30% of the facilities sourcing BCI Cotton received positive audit results.
As of January 2026, all supply chain actors sourcing Physical BCI Cotton have fully completed their certification processes.
The New "BCI Cotton Label" Era
A new labeling system has been introduced for brands and retailers that have achieved certification and source Physical BCI Cotton from a fully certified supply chain. Products containing more than 30% Physical BCI Cotton are now eligible to carry the new "BCI Cotton Label".
Industry Engagement and Strong Partnerships
Tom Owen, Head of Certification at BCI, emphasized that the high level of engagement observed across both agricultural and textile supply chains reflects a growing recognition of the importance of certification in the industry. To manage this comprehensive effort, the organization has built a growing network comprising more than 50 certification bodies.
Strategic Partnership with IOAS
To further strengthen and scale its certification infrastructure, BCI has formed a strategic partnership with IOAS (International Organic Accreditation Service), a global leader in agricultural supply chain accreditation. Under this agreement, IOAS will evaluate and accredit all certification bodies operating within the BCI framework.
