GOTS, CmiA, Fairtrade, and Organic Cotton: A Practical Guide for Buyers

Navigating cotton certification standards can be complex. This guide cuts through the acronyms to explain what each standard covers, what it means for your supply chain, and how to identify which certifications are most relevant to your brand's sustainability commitments.

5/8/20261 min read

black blue and yellow textile
black blue and yellow textile

Certification Guides

  • Why certification matters for cotton sourcing

  • GOTS: From field to finished product what it covers and what it doesn't

  • CmiA: Africa-specific standards and why they matter

  • Fairtrade cotton: The social premium model explained

  • Organic Content Standard (OCS): What 'organic content' actually means

  • How to choose: A decision matrix for brands at different sustainability stages

  • The East Africa advantage: Which standards apply and why

Navigating cotton certification standards can be complex. This guide cuts through the acronyms to explain what each standard covers, what it means for your supply chain, and how to identify which certifications are most relevant to your brand's sustainability commitments.