The US Cotton Trust Protocol has been recognised and published in the standard mapping process by the International Trade Centre (ITC), giving brands and retailers around the world greater choice when it comes to sourcing sustainably grown cotton. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to be more competitive.
To be included in the Standards Map, an organisation must address at least one pillar of sustainable development (economics, environment, social), and/or focus on ethics or quality management. As part of its core programme, the Trust Protocol is focused on continuous improvement of six key sustainability metrics including land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.
By joining the US Cotton Trust Protocol, members can be sure they are sourcing responsibly produced, quality fibre, and reducing environmental and social risk in their field-to-mill supply chain, Cotton USA said in a press release.
“The Trust Protocol aims to set a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton that provides brands and retailers the critical assurances that the cotton fiber used in their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk,” said Dr Gary Adams, president of the US Cotton Trust Protocol. “Inclusion in the ITC Standards Map signals to businesses and consumers that a trusted independent organisation has verified this information.”
The US Cotton Trust Protocol has been recognised and published in the standard mapping process by the International Trade Centre (ITC), giving brands and retailers around the world greater choice when it comes to sourcing sustainably grown cotton. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to be more competitive.
To be included in the Standards Map, an organisation must address at least one pillar of sustainable development (economics, environment, social), and/or focus on ethics or quality management. As part of its core programme, the Trust Protocol is focused on continuous improvement of six key sustainability metrics including land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.
By joining the US Cotton Trust Protocol, members can be sure they are sourcing responsibly produced, quality fibre, and reducing environmental and social risk in their field-to-mill supply chain, Cotton USA said in a press release.
“The Trust Protocol aims to set a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton that provides brands and retailers the critical assurances that the cotton fiber used in their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk,” said Dr Gary Adams, president of the US Cotton Trust Protocol. “Inclusion in the ITC Standards Map signals to businesses and consumers that a trusted independent organisation has verified this information.”
“During a time of increased supply chain scrutiny, brands and retailers face challenges in keeping track of sustainability initiatives and meeting requirements,” said Mathieu Lamolle, senior advisor at ITC. “We appreciate that organisations such as the Trust Protocol voluntarily submit their sustainability metrics for verification and mapping in our Standards Map database, so that companies can make better-informed decisions about certification and involvement in sustainable production of their raw materials.”