The International Cotton Advisory Committee's (ICAC) Task Force on Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton (CSITC) has achieved a remarkable decade-long streak of improvement in Round Trials (RTs), spanning from 2011 to 2023. This continuous success underscores a crucial commitment to accuracy and consistency within the cotton industry.

In the latest 2023 RTs, involving laboratories from 30 countries, between 57 and 68 labs participated in each of the four trials. Despite seasonal fluctuations, the number of instruments tested ranged from 90 to 158, with the third RT of 2023 nearly breaking the all-time record set in 2012. The average annual median Overall Evaluation Result (OER) in 2023, standing at 0.342, remains commendable, although slightly below the peak achieved in 2021.

The significance of these results extends beyond numerical achievements. Over the past decade, participating labs have consistently reduced variation across key properties such as Micronaire, Strength, and Length Uniformity, among others. This trend is exemplified by the substantial improvement in the median OER, which has decreased from 0.54 in 2010 to 0.34 in 2023, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.

These advancements not only enhance the reliability of instrument testing but also foster trust and integrity within the global cotton trade. By ensuring accurate measurements and minimizing discrepancies, the ICAC's CSITC initiatives contribute to smoother transactions, reduced disputes, and overall efficiency in the industry.

Since 2007, CSITC RTs, managed by ICAC, organized and evaluated by Bremen Fibre Institute, and facilitated by USDA for sample provisions and dispatch, have been conducted quarterly. The objective is to align lab results with reference values, reducing inter-laboratory deviation to mitigate costly claims for buyers and sellers.