The Better Cotton Initiative （BCI） and the United States Fashion Industry Association （USFIA） announce that they will collaborate to promote responsible cotton sourcing. As of today， BCI is an Associate Member of USFIA， and USFIA is a member of BCI.
　　
USFIA represents the fashion industry， including textile and apparel brands， retailers， importers and wholesalers， based in the United States and doing business globally.
　　
The Better Cotton Initiative is an NGO working with a multi-stakeholder group of organisations to support responsible cotton production worldwide.
　　
“USFIA is thrilled to partner with BCI，” says Julia K. Hughes， President of USFIA. “Our members， which include iconic global brands and major retailers， are committed to responsible sourcing at all levels in the supply chain. By collaborating with and learning from BCI， our members will be able to enhance that commitment from literally the ground up.”
　　
The partnership allows BCI and USFIA to mutually benefit from each other’s expertise. BCI will provide information about supporting responsibly grown cotton to USFIA members. In turn， USFIA can support BCI members in navigating the complex sourcing issues in the United States and around the globe. Through publications， educational events and networking opportunities， USFIA will enable BCI to connect with key stakeholders across the value chain， including US and international service providers， suppliers and industry groups.
　　
“As BCI continues to expand in the US， we’re excited to join a reputable organisation like USFIA. In such a rapidly changing industry， we look forward to exploring how this partnership can enable the supply chain of the future，” says Daren Abney， Membership Engagement Manager at BCI.
　　
About BCI
　　
The Better Cotton Initiative exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it， better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future. BCI aims to transform cotton production worldwide by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.
　　
To achieve this mission， BCI works with a diverse range of stakeholders across the cotton supply chain to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment， farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas.
　　
Our four specific aims：
　　
·Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production 　　
·Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas
　　
·Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout supply chain
　　
·Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative
　　
About USFIA
　　
Founded in 1989 as the United States Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel with the goal of eliminating the global apparel quota system， USFIA now works to eliminate the tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the industry’s ability to trade freely and create economic opportunities in the United States and abroad. Headquartered in Washington， D.C.， USFIA is the most respected voice for the fashion industry in front of the U.S. government as well as international governments and stakeholders. With constant， two-way communication， USFIA staff and counsel serve as the eyes and ears of our members in Washington and around the world， enabling them to stay ahead of the regulatory challenges of today and tomorrow.