Better Cotton Initiative has become a member of ISEAL alliance, a global membership association for sustainability standards. BCI met the three baseline criteria codes: standard setting, impacts and assurance. Adoption of ISEAL practices by sustainability initiatives provides companies an assurance that the initiative is credible and not just a marketing program or awareness-raising campaign.

Membership of ISEAL demonstrates that Better Cotton Initiative’s global standards program follows credible and effective practices. Following the approval, BCI can now work with other ISEAL members to improve its effectiveness and help demonstrate impact as well as look towards building confidence in its stakeholders that a standard or a label is making a difference to Better Cotton production. In 2013, nearly 7,49,000 tons of Better Cotton were produced through 210 licensed farmers. The year also saw two new brand signatories to the Better Cotton Fast Track Program – Tesco and Tommy Hilfiger. 

The International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling Alliance was founded in 2002. It is the global association for social and environmental standards. It works with companies, non-profit organisations and governments. ISEAL members are committed to creating standard systems that give business, governments and consumers the ability to choose goods and services that have been ethically sourced and that help the environment and guarantee producers a decent living.

www.isealalliance.org/