UKFT has provided an update on the new The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) rules introduced in December 2024, key dates to be aware of and member discounts for Independent Assessment and Chain of custody certification via our partner Intertek.

Transition to Certification scheme

• BCI transitioned from a Licensing Standard to a Certification Scheme to meet new legislative requirements and maintain robust standards.
• Certification now involves third-party audits and certification decisions by approved Certification Bodies.

Certification requirements

• Ginners, suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and brands must become certified to process and sell Physical (Traceable) Better Cotton. The BC CoC Standard has mandated documentation throughout the BC supply chain and its adherence by May 2025. More on the new CoC standard here.
• Mass Balance products do not require certification and are not eligible for the BCI Content Label.

Independent assessment:

Starting in 2024, brands and retailers must undergo Independent Assessment (visit here to see learn more about Independent Assessment) for their cotton fibre consumption against BC’s standards. The BCP acts as an online tool for tracking labelled BC product volumes and facilitating BCCU transfers between suppliers and customers.

Support and special offer

Our Associate partner Intertek offers both Independent Assessment and Chain of custody certification, please access the link for more information. UKFT members can receive a 15% discount on these services, please contact the UKFT team for discount and more information by emailing info@ukft.org

Labelling – here are key dates members need to be aware of

* TIMELINE 

31 December 2024 – Last submissions for use of the claim will be reviewed and approved if you have had on-product mark claims approved before 

1 January 2025, you can continue to use them until 31 May 2026. 

1 January 2025 – After this date, new mass balance on-product mark submissions will no longer be approvable. 

31 May 2026 – Phased out. Mass balance on-product marks on product packaging, hang tags, in-store displays, and product description pages of ecommerce must no longer be live.

Decent Work roadmap

• BCI to launch a new roadmap to improve working conditions and livelihoods by 2030.
• Focus areas include farm-level actions, programme partnerships and multistakeholder collaboration.

These changes aim to strengthen the credibility and sustainability of Better Cotton, ensuring better working conditions and transparency throughout the supply chain.

UKFT will be holding a webinar with Better Cotton to highlight the changes and updates, visit our event page for more details and contact info@ukft.org for more information.

Not yet a member? Click here to find out more about the UKFT membership.