Better Cotton Initiative

At a glance This document provides an overview of the Better Cotton Initiative standard system. The Better Cotton Initiative is one of the several standard systems that are referenced in Standards Map, the interactive web-based tool on private standards developed by the T4SD program of ITC.

What is the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) starting point in a cycle of continuous improvement required by BCI. The Better Cotton Initiative is a private, non-governmental, not- • Products produced by BCI members do not have a BCI label. for-profit membership association whose long-term objective is to • Large brands and retailers have committed to invest both promote best farming practices, high quality products and managerial in farmer support programmes and in the procurement of responsibility, while minimizing the use of agrochemical products and mainstream volumes of Better Cotton through the “Better protect workers’ rights through a participatory stakeholder approach. Cotton Fast Track Programme”. • A Better Cotton Fast Track Fund, funded by retailers, brands, The Better Cotton Initiative is still in its implementation phase and the traders and other actors in the cotton supply chain supports first harvest of BCI certified product is expected towards the end of the production of Better Cotton. 2010. • BCI membership focuses on increasing farm profitability through improved productivity and fiber quality rather than on BCI membership is centered on the Better Cotton System which paying a fixed premium. comprises inter-dependent components supported by and facilitated • The WWF cotton projects in India and Pakistan were aligned through the BCI membership association: to the BCI Production principles in 2010. (target for 2012) • Production Principles and Criteria provide guidelines BCI: facts and figures on broad areas which need to be addressed by the farmer for • 15% of global cotton production will be accounted for by the the production of “Better Cotton”. demand of BCI brand/retailer members, • Farmer Support centered around three “Enabling • 1.3% of global cotton production (300,000 MT of cotton lint) will be Mechanisms” (knowledge sharing and skills development, produced as “Better Cotton” in Brazil, India, Pakistan, and West & effective producer organization, equitable access Central Africa. to responsible financial services). • 50% of “Better Cotton” produced will be used by BCI brand/retailer • Farm Assessment aiming at continuous improvements members. through measurable results. • Globally 100,000 farmers will produce “Better Cotton” by 2012. • Supply Chain facilitating mechanism to allow the “Better Cotton” produced by a farmer to be available to interested retailers. Support • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning mechanisms to measure Three of the Better Cotton System components focus on support. BCI provides progress and change. a Step by Step Guide to Implementation for both smallholders and large farms • Tools, guidelines and learning forums to facilitate the and annual workshops that help companies understand and implement the exchange of best practices and knowledge. BCI program. BCI also provides access to responsible financial services via the Better Cotton Fast Track Fund. Applications for financial grants can What products are covered by the standard be submitted twice a year through an online form. The funding contribution matches up to a maximum of 50% of the total project cost. system Cotton. Better Cotton Initiative Contact Details Better Cotton Initiative What are the key features of the standard Rue de la Combe, 4 system CH -1260 Nyon Switzerland • Producers need to meet the “Minimum Production +41 22 939 12 50 Criteria”, which are the initial core requirements, to become [email protected] a BCI member. “Minimum Production Criteria” are the www.bettercotton.org

Source: Standards Map, Market Analysis Tools, International Trade Centre and the Better Cotton Initiative, http://www.bettercotton.org. Last up-date: January 2011 For more information, visit Standards Map or send us an e-mail: [email protected]. The BCI standard system is applicable to producers in the following countries and regions Detailed maps highlighting countries where certification / verification is possible and countries where certified products / services are sold can be generated on ITC’s Standards Map website.

11 countries

ASIA China, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan AFRICA Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, Togo SOUTH AMERICA Brazil

How to join BCI

The Better Cotton Initiative is still in its implementation phase. We will provide more information as it becomes available

The following table provides an overview of BCI’s principles and requirements and related compliance policies covering social, environmental and economic areas applied in production, processing and trade.

Explanation of Standards Map interpretation of compliance policies in the BCI standard system: Immediate Requirement: The BCI “Minimum Production Criteria” form the initial core requirements for farmers to grow “Better Cotton”. These criteria are presented in the Standards Map database as “Immediate requirements”. Medium-term requirement: The BCI “Progress Requirements” form an additional set of requirements that farmers, after meeting the “Minimum Production Criteria” must complete with a minimum number of additional benchmarks within the following 3 growing seasons, while of course maintaining compliance to the “Minimum Production Criteria”. These progress requirements are presented in the Standards Map database as “Medium-term requirements”.

Environment Social Economic

Forest Social/human rights Administration and management Conversion of forests to other uses Promotion/enhancement of education Criteria for quality management Gender issues Product quality specifications Chemicals Women’s rights at work List of prohibited chemicals List of authorized chemicals Work/labor rights All chemicals type prohibited Conditions of work Integrated Pest/Crop Management Safety at work (ILO 184) (IPM/ICM) systems Safe handling chemicals Synthetic inputs Healthy work conditions Pesticides/herbicides No forced labor (ILO 29&105) Equipment and training on chemical

Immediate requirements No use of physical violence use Child labor prohibited (ILO 182) Management of chemicals Condition of employment Biodiversity Contract labour policies and practices Habitat and/or eco-system Minimum age (ILO 138) Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Workers empowerment Risk prevention Freedom of association (ILO 87) Conversion of primary land use Collective Bargaining (ILO 98) No discrimination at work (ILO 111) Water Defined use/management strategies

Soil Work/labor rights Financial sustainability Soil conservation/erosion Conditions of work Access to finance/credit Soil quality Safety at work (ILO 184) Plant and animal productivity Training on safety issues Soil related nutrients and fertility Safe work environment Safety equipments and emergency Chemicals kits Storage/disposal/waste Access to safe drinking water Access to sanitary facilities at work Biodiversity Access to medical assistance/ Wildlife insurance Flora density/diversity Condition of employment Contract labour policies and Waste

Medium-term requirements practices Waste management - collection, Transparency of employment treatment, disposal practices Recycle waste which cannot be Written contracts prevented Seasonal - partial labour issues Disposal of waste addressed Timely payment of wages Minimum wage requirements Equal remuneration (ILO 100) Maximum number of working hours set