Overview: Better Cotton Third-Party Verification (3PV) Chain of Custody (CoC) certifies physical traceability for Better Cotton.
Physical Traceability: Enables physical segregation (Mass Balance vs. Traceable models) along the supply chain.
Chain of Custody Standard: Implemented to offer end-to-end transparency from farm output to finished retail products.
Better Cotton Traceability: Allows brands to track the exact country of origin for their Better Cotton purchases.
Third-Party Verification: Requires independent accredited auditors to verify facility compliance against the CoC standard.
Better Cotton Platform (BCP): Uses digital BCP units to track and monitor material volumes traded between certified entities.
Supply Chain Segregation: Ensures Better Cotton is physically separated from unverified cotton inputs during manufacturing.
Processing Facility Audits: Applies to gins, spinners, weavers, knitters, wet processors, and garment manufacturers.
Mass Balance vs. Segregation: Supports both physical segregation models and controlled mass-balance tracking systems.
Inventory Control: Demands rigorous internal recordkeeping to prevent mixing or mislabeling of cotton shipments.
Data Transparency: Drives digital supply chain mapping using online platforms to track raw cotton origins.
Farmer Support: Connects sustainable farming practices directly with market-facing brand supply demands.
Environmental Focus: Encourages reduced pesticide usage, water conservation, and soil health preservation at farm levels.
Fair Labor: Enforces fundamental labor standards across processing sites in accordance with ILO conventions.
Brand Claims: Enables verified retail brands to make accurate, transparent claims regarding physical cotton origin.
Audit Assessment: Evaluates physical stockrooms, software logs, purchase receipts, and shipping documentation.
Global Standard: Applies to cotton production networks, textile manufacturing hubs, and global fashion brands.
Risk Reduction: Reduces supply chain obscurity and mitigates reputational risks tied to unverified cotton sourcing.
Annual Verification: Requires regular audit cycles to preserve third-party certified facility status.
Market Access: Helps textile manufacturers secure business from international brands requiring verified cotton origins.