These days, many textile companies and fashion brands engage in “greenwashing”. They use sustainability in their marketing, as consumers now want more transparency when it comes to their products. This is why it’s essential to look for the correct certification, such as COTTON USA™. Thanks to the strict guidelines set by certification bodies, this helps both buyers and consumers make well-informed decisions upon selecting their sustainable textiles.
As a trusted seal of approval, the program ensures that cotton meets the highest standards, tested for 100% cotton consistency and traceability. In addition, only premium cotton is met with approval so it’s also a seal for high quality. With 700 licensees worldwide, the COTTON USA™ certification sets the highest standards for sustainably grown cotton. In order to get licensed, products must contain more than 50% U.S. cotton.
With the supply chain under more scrutiny than ever before, companies carrying this mark benefit from meeting sustainability standards that align with the United Nations goals for sustainable development, demonstrating that the company values quality and scientific traceability.
About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol®
Set by trusted standard owner COTTON USA™, the U.S Cotton Trust Protocol® sets a rigorous standard for sustainability grown cotton. The protocol guarantees measurable and verifiable goals to ascertain sustainable cotton production, as well as driving for continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics: land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency.
Overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors, the Trust Protocol consists of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society, and independent sustainability experts as well as the cotton-growing industry, including growers, ginners, merchants, wholesalers and cooperatives, mills, and cottonseed handlers.
The protocol aligns with the sustainability objectives included within the U.N Sustainable Development Goals, as well as being recognized by the Textile Exchange. With mass-scale irrigation and fertilization based on in-field measurements, the U.S. cotton industry is more efficient in improving soil health. The protocol demonstrates that the sustainability evidence is proven via Field to Market, which is measured by the Field Calculator and approved by Control Union Certifications.
Gildan sets an example for transparency Consumers often lack verified information about how their apparel is made. Supply chain transparency calls for companies to thoroughly investigate what is happening in their supply chains and to disclose this knowledge both internally and externally. Providing customers with correct information that a product is made from sustainable materials, guaranteeing quality and high value translates to bigger business benefits. This is precisely why activewear brand Gildan has stepped up to the plate to ensure that its supply chain is ethical and sustainable from fiber to shirt.
As of the 23rd of June, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomed Gildan Activewear as new members into its portfolio of company-owned brands, including Gildan®, Alstyle®, American Apparel®, and Comfort Colors®. Gildan is one of the world’s largest and most renowned manufacturers of everyday apparel, as well as being one of the largest domestic consumers of cotton grown in the United States, making up for the majority of fiber used in Gildan’s products.
According to Gildan’s CEO and President Glenn Chamandy, the brand has a vision of making ethical apparel via a transparent supply chain. For the brand, joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a “natural next step” towards achieving a sustainable ethos. Being a member of the protocol also provides Gildan with additional assurance about the cotton that it purchases, ensuring that it’s sustainably grown and has minimal environmental and social risks.
About Gildan
A leading manufacturer of everyday apparel, Gildan markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. With a diversified portfolio of company-owned brands, Gildan boasts Under Armour®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, and Gildan® Hammer™ to name a few. Their products include activewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and legwear products, with a wide customer range. In addition, they sell to wholesale distributors, screen printers, embellishers, as well as online or in-store retailers.