Launch of public discussion on revisions to African cotton standards
The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) has announced the launch of a public consultation for the revision of the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) standard to version 5.0. This consultation, open from September 19 to November 17, 2025, invites interested parties to provide feedback that will shape the future of the sustainable cotton standard.
The CmiA is the largest standard in Africa for sustainably produced cotton, with over 60 textile companies and fashion brands currently using CmiA cotton. The revision of the standard follows a standard process and takes into account verification results from recent years, as well as new insights from monitoring, evaluation, and innovative approaches to sustainable cotton cultivation.
The revision process began in the spring of 2025, and a two-day workshop with partners and stakeholders in Côte d'Ivoire provided important input. The new standard, Vol. 5.0, will come into effect in 2026 after incorporating feedback from the public consultation, the technical advisory group, and the approval of the foundation's board.
The revised standard version 5.0 specifies standard requirements, emphasises the goals of the standard, and strengthens the consistency of indicators in the field of human rights and risk management. It introduces stricter requirements for due diligence and sustainability reporting for companies.
Alexandra Perschau, Head of Standards & Outreach at AbTF, stated that the draft is being presented for public discussion after valuable feedback on the revision of version 4.0 from partners and stakeholders in recent months. The AbTF, an internationally renowned and active non-profit organization for sustainable raw materials, was founded in 2005 by entrepreneur Prof. Dr. Michael Otto.
CmiA supports around 800,000 small farmers and invests in rural communities with projects in education, environmental protection, health, and women's empowerment. The revision of the standard focuses on increasing its effectiveness and adapting the Cotton made in Africa criteria and indicators to current external factors such as biodiversity loss and growing reporting requirements for companies.
The draft of the CmiA Standard Vol. 5.0 is available for download. The public consultation provides an opportunity for everyone to actively help shape how producers in Africa can be supported more specifically in their work, how biodiversity can be protected, and how companies can access sustainable resources to meet their due diligence obligations.
It's important to note that the search results do not provide specific names of companies or fashion brands using version 5.0 of the CmiA standard, nor a list covering over 60 textile companies and fashion brands. However, the ongoing public consultation offers a chance for these entities to contribute to the development of the new standard.
In conclusion, the public consultation for the revision of the Cotton made in Africa standard offers a valuable opportunity for everyone to contribute to the development of a more effective and sustainable standard for cotton production in Africa. The new standard, Vol. 5.0, is set to come into effect in 2026, bringing about positive changes for farmers, rural communities, and the fashion industry.
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