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Better Cotton – Field Level

Sustainability in cotton production is a critical requirement from both an environmental and social perspective. Better Cotton is the largest initiative to promote environmentally responsible, socially responsible and economically sustainable practices in cotton production worldwide. As USB Certification, we ensure that producers comply with these standards through Better Cotton Field Level Audits.

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Better Cotton – What is Field Level?

The Better Cotton Field Level is an area of application that verifies the compliance of farmers and producer groups with sustainability principles in cotton production. This level aims to improve the environmental, social and economic impacts of cotton production and is conducted in line with the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria (P&C). These audits are carried out in cotton production:

  • Environmental Impact Reduction (water management, pesticide use, soil health)
  • Social Responsibility (labor rights, safe working conditions)
  • Ensures alignment on Economic Sustainability (productivity and income growth).

The Purpose of Better Cotton

So what does this mean for manufacturers? By disciplining both field practices and recording and reporting, the standard puts you on the sustainable supplier lists of global brands. In this way, producers become sustainably involved in the global cotton supply chain by obtaining a Better Cotton license.

  • Environmental Sustainability: Water management, pesticide use, soil health and biodiversity conservation.
  • Social Responsibility: Workers’ rights, safe working conditions, prevention of child labor.
  • Economic Development: Improving farmers’ incomes by increasing their productivity.

Better Cotton Principles and Criteria Focus

What is Checked in a Field Level Inspection?

  • Agricultural Practices: Pesticide and fertilizer use, water management, etc.
  • Workers’ Rights: Working hours, wages, safety measures, etc.
  • Traceability: Accuracy of records from cotton production to the supply chain
  • Environmental Impact: Protection of soil and water resources, etc.

Better Cotton Principles and Field Level Focus Areas

  • Management: Realizing sustainability goals by establishing strong management systems at farm level.
  • Natural Resources: Conservation and development of land, water and biodiversity.
  • Pest Management (Crop Protection): Reducing pesticide use through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
  • Fiber Quality: Proper harvesting and storage methods to maintain and improve the quality of cotton fiber.
  • Decent Work: Protecting workers’ rights and ensuring safe work.
  • Smallholder Livelihoods (Newly added principle): Practices aimed at increasing the incomes and improving the living conditions of smallholder farmers.

Better Cotton – Field Level Certification Process

1

Application and Program Partnership
– Registration process is carried out with the relevant program partner/conformity assessment body within the framework of the Better Cotton system.
– The roles and responsibilities of the lead organization and internal control system (ICS) in producer groups are determined.

2

Field Check and Conformity Assessment
– Better Cotton monitors the implementation of field-level criteria through Field Checklists.
– Input use (pesticide fertilizer), water use, tillage, fiber pollution, worker conditions and records are cross-checked.

3

Completion of Minimum Requirements and Licensing
Once the minimum requirements have been met, the farm/producer group is licensed to grow Better Cotton, creating volumes that can be traded as “Better Cotton” under the program.

4

Continuous Improvement and Annual Evaluation
Each season, indicators in the progress requirements are re-measured, targeting improvement in areas such as pesticide water and carbon footprint.

Start the Better Cotton Journey at Field Level

Strengthen your reach to global buyers demanding sustainable cotton by complying with Better Cotton field-level requirements. Manage this journey from field to market with confidence with USB Certification.

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Tangible Benefits for Cotton Producers
Better Cotton – field level creates the following advantages in the market

It offers strong value to brands and the supply chain in terms of environmental and social responsibility.

Secures long-term production capacity by increasing soil fertility.

Minimizes climate and resource risks in the supply chain.

Supports climate-friendly production by reducing carbon footprint and improving soil health.

Strengthens brand image by meeting consumers’ growing expectations of sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not legally mandatory, but it is becoming a de facto business requirement for producers working with big brands or wanting to participate in the sustainable cotton market.

More than 99% of farmers participating in the Better Cotton system are smallholders; the system is specifically designed to be accessible to small producers.

The license is season-based; performance and minimum requirements are re-evaluated in each season and continuous improvement is expected.