As USB Certification, we visited Özdamar, Haliloğulları and Baki Pamuk ginning companies (as well as the cotton fields for these companies), which are important actors in the cotton sector, alongside members of Textile Exchange’s Assurance team between November 4-5 and November 11-12, 2024. Our Global Audit and Certification Manager Emre Idman and Turkey Country Manager Erce Ercegil represented us in this important process.

Within the scope of the visits, extensive evaluations were made between stakeholders on how to strengthen the link from the field to the ginning factory in the cotton production process.

During the visits, productive discussions were held on the current status and future of the cotton production chain. In this process, innovations in the sector, sustainability standards and future targets were discussed. Steps to strengthen the link between the fields and ginning mills, to develop traceability mechanisms and to increase sectoral cooperation were evaluated in detail.

The observations made in the fields and factories once again revealed that cotton production should not only meet today’s needs, but also create a more sustainable structure for future generations. This important meeting was very valuable both in terms of sharing technical information and developing solutions for the needs of the sector.

As USB Certification, we believe that such activities that pioneer sectoral cooperation are of great importance for a sustainable cotton production model. This connection with Textile Exchange, underpinned by our common goals, can lead to promising steps for both the present and the future of cotton.