IOAS Inc. (International Organic Accreditation Service) has announced the official launch of accreditation services for certification bodies operating within the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) system, in collaboration with BCI. This new partnership aims to strengthen assurance mechanisms across global cotton supply chains and to support the more consistent implementation of sustainability practices.

Within this scope, IOAS will assess and accredit certification bodies active in the Better Cotton system. The accreditation process is designed to enhance the credibility of certification activities, improve audit quality, and ensure consistent application across the system. At the same time, it seeks to support efforts to promote ethical production practices, protect human rights, and improve working conditions in cotton production.

IOAS representatives note that this step will add an additional layer of robustness to the assurance and verification processes carried out under the Better Cotton program, contributing to increased trust among stakeholders. Through accreditation services, the compliance of certification bodies operating within the Better Cotton system with internationally recognized accreditation criteria will be evaluated in an independent and transparent manner. This development is considered a step aligned with the Better Cotton Initiative’s objective of promoting more sustainable, responsible, and ethical production practices in the global cotton sector. With the involvement of IOAS, the assurance framework supporting environmental and social sustainability in cotton supply chains is expected to be further strengthened.