The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), a non-profit
organization focused on sustainable raw materials,
has launched a new transparency standard to improve the
tracking of sustainable cotton throughout the textile supply
chain.Set to launch in early 2025, the independent verification
system will oversee the use and traceability of sustainable
cotton certified under Cotton made in Africa (CmiA)
and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). The system
ensures that yarns, fabrics, and textiles are produced exclusively
using CmiA- or RCS-certified cotton.
According to Gerlind Bäz, Senior Project Manager at AbTF,
this new standard will enhance the existing tracking
system, first introduced in 2018. She explained that while
brands and retailers already rely on AbTF’s tracking
mechanisms, the new system will introduce independent
audits to ensure compliance with transparency
requirements.A key feature of the new standard is riskbased
desktop audits, where independent auditors will
review tracking data and supporting documents, such as
production reports and delivery notes, across all production
stages.Tina Stridde, Managing Director of AbTF,
emphasized that the new standard reinforces CmiA and
RCS as internationally recognized, trustworthy
certifications for sustainable cotton. She highlighted the
growing need for brands and companies to provide proof of
material origins due to increasing global regulatory and
consumer demands
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