Better Cotton (BCI), the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme, has published version ‘Principles and Criteria v3.2’, which will shape the future of cotton production. This new update represents a critical turning point in the global cotton sector’s transition to a regenerative agriculture model that restores nature.

Better Cotton (BCI), one of the global cotton sector’s most significant sustainability programmes, has implemented a major update to its standards with the aim of minimising environmental impacts and protecting the agricultural ecosystem. The newly published ‘Principles and Criteria v3.2’ contains strategic innovations that will define the sector’s future production standards.

With this new version, the focus shifts beyond traditional farming methods—which merely aim to minimise harm—to the ‘regenerative agriculture’ model, which actively protects and restores nature. This approach, which aims to improve soil health, use water resources efficiently and support biodiversity, is of great importance for the cotton supply chain to achieve its sustainability goals.

By closely monitoring current developments in the sector and improvements to certification standards, we continue to support the growth of sustainability awareness in agricultural production. You can access full details of the updated standards via Better Cotton’s official platforms.