The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has completed four seasons of operation in the United States.

BCI was launched in the United States in 2014, in response to its retailer and brand members, who wanted to source US grown cotton that meets the Better Cotton Standard for social and environmental performance. Since then, along with its industry partners, BCI has now grown to include 366 farmers in 14 states, who now grow five per cent of US cotton.

Key to BCI’s rapid growth in the US has been an innovative group assurance approach to managing the requirements for participating farms. Growers participate as a part of a grower group, joining together with other growers in their area.

Global non-profit BCI promotes sustainable cotton production. Its program now covers about 15 per cent of the world’s production.

Nearly all US farms meet the core requirements for licensing. But unlike many other certification programs, which merely emphasize compliance, Better Cotton Standard also measures and encourages ongoing improvements, in things like water stewardship, soil health, and worker well-being.

In 2017 more than a million bales of cotton were produced by American farms participating in the Better Cotton licensing program.

US brands that are part of BCI include Target, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Guess and Nike.