# Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC) - Certification body: ETKO Ecological Agriculture Control Organization - Category: Textile Certification - Canonical page: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/better-cotton-initiative-bci - Markdown: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/better-cotton-initiative-bci.md ## Summary The Better Cotton (BCI) Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard ensures that sustainable cotton is securely tracked throughout the supply chain using Mass Balance or… ## Does ETKO provide Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC) certification? Yes. ETKO (Ecological Agriculture Control Organization) offers Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC) certification as part of its Textile Certification program. This page describes the standard, how to apply, and related documents. ## What is Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC)? The Better Cotton (BCI) Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard ensures that sustainable cotton is securely tracked throughout the supply chain using Mass Balance or… ## Details # **What is the Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC)?** Better Cotton (formerly the Better Cotton Initiative - BCI) is the world's largest cotton sustainability program, recognized globally for supporting environmentally friendly farming practices and improving farmer livelihoods. The Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard is the essential framework that records the transparent journey of sustainably grown cotton from the field through ginners, spinners, and fabric manufacturers, all the way to the final retail brand. This standard enables brands to meet their sustainability targets while building a robust data infrastructure behind their cotton content claims. ## **Key Technical Criteria of Better Cotton CoC** The updated BCI Chain of Custody Standard accommodates varying supply chain capabilities and brands' transparency demands by offering two primary traceability models. The technical structure can be summarized as follows: - **Mass Balance:** This is a volume-tracking model where physical Better Cotton is allowed to be substituted or mixed with conventional cotton within the production facility. - However, the system enforces strict mathematical accounting. The volume of Better Cotton purchased is balanced against the volume sold using digital credits known as **BCCUs (Better Cotton Claim Units)**. A facility cannot sell more BCCUs than it has sourced. - **Physical Traceability:** Developed to meet modern demands for absolute transparency, this model allows the physical cotton in the final product to be traced back to its origin (country level). - Physical traceability is implemented either through **Segregation**, where Better Cotton is kept entirely separate from conventional cotton throughout processing, or through **Controlled Blending**, where mixing is done under strict, trackable guidelines. - **Better Cotton Platform (BCP):** The entire ecosystem is managed digitally. Every actor in the supply chain is required to accurately and promptly record their transactions, BCCU transfers, and physical traceability data into the central digital database known as the Better Cotton Platform (BCP). ## **Why Choose ETKO for BCI CoC Verification?** To prove to global brands that you fully comply with Better Cotton requirements, you need third-party verification. ETKO’s highly experienced auditors meticulously assess your facility to ensure the correct implementation of Mass Balance or Physical Traceability procedures. Having your inventory management, invoicing processes, and BCP records validated by ETKO’s expertise enhances your brand's prestige in the international market and secures the credibility of your sustainability claims. ## How do I apply for Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC) certification with ETKO? Submit an online quote request on the ETKO website: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/quote-request ## Application Process At ETKO, we manage your application process transparently, quickly, and clearly. Our process consists of the following steps: 1. **Application and Information Exchange** — We gather preliminary information about your company's structure and production processes. 2. **Proposal and Contract** — We present a detailed proposal for the inspection process and sign a contract upon your approval. 3. **Pre-Audit Preparation** — This is the process of preparing the necessary documentation (chemical inventory, social compliance documents, etc.). 4. **On-Site Audit** — Expert ETKO auditors visit your facility and examine your compliance with the criteria on-site. 5. **Reporting and Certification** — After non-conformities are resolved (if any), the audit report is approved and your certificate is issued. ## Accreditations - GOTS: International Organic Accreditation Service - accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - National Organic Program (NOP): United States Department of Agriculture — NOP accredited certifying agent. - TR Organik & GLOBALGAP & İTU: Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) — Turkey's national accreditation body for conformity assessment. - COSMOS: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - Textile Exchange Standards: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - ISO/IEC 17065:2012: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. ## Countries of operation Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, Korea, China, Denmark, Germany, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Romania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar ## Where can I find Better Cotton Chain of Custody (CoC) regulations and forms? ETKO's document center lists regulations, application forms, and current guidelines for this standard: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/quote-request ## Related pages - HTML: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/better-cotton-initiative-bci - About ETKO: https://www.etko.com.tr/about - Contact: https://www.etko.com.tr/contact - Document center: https://www.etko.com.tr/documents?category=textile&standard=better-cotton-initiative-bci