Navigating a New Era of Compliance & Sustainability

The textile industry is under pressure. Regulations such as the EU Green Claims Directive, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive are reshaping the way brands communicate and source materials.

For workwear and retail brands, this means one thing: sustainability and transparency are no longer optional – they are mandatory. To stay ahead, companies need reliable partners who offer both credible impact and regulatory alignment. This is exactly where the Regenerative Cotton Standard® (RCS) comes in.

About the Regenerative Cotton Standard® (RCS)

Developed by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), the RCS is a voluntary standard for cotton grown by small-scale farmers using regenerative farming methods. Unlike conventional certifications, RCS goes beyond cotton alone – it addresses the entire agricultural system to:

• Strengthen smallholder resilience and productivity
• Enhance biodiversity and soil health
• Improve rural livelihoods and community wellbeing
• Consider animal welfare alongside environmental and social criteria

RCS is the first regenerative cotton standard to explicitly prioritize the knowledge and interests of smallholder farmers, ensuring their expertise shapes future-proof agricultural practices.

Transparency & Traceability with the HIP System

At the heart of RCS is the Hard Identity Preserved (HIP) Chain of Custody model.
This ensures uninterrupted traceability from the cotton field to the finished product.

Every organization in the supply chain – from ginneries to textile mills to brands – must meet the requirements of the AbTF Transparency Standard. This guarantees that retailers and consumers can trust every product carrying the RCS label.

(Note: The HIP system is also used within the Cotton made in Africa® standard.)

6 Reasons Why RCS is a One-Stop Solution for Brands

1. Compliance: Aligns with EU Green Claims and consumer protection directives
2. Market demand: Meets the rising demand for credible sustainable sourcing
3. No procurement cost pressure: Only a license fee – covered via marketing, not purchasing budgets
4. Credibility: No greenwashing – real social & environmental impact, externally verified
5. Storytelling & engagement: Farmer stories, visuals, and communication tools for authentic branding
6. Social responsibility: Long-term partnerships with smallholders improve livelihoods and strengthen communities

Why Retailers & Workwear Brands Should Act Now

The sourcing landscape is shifting rapidly. Retailers and brands that move early to adopt regenerative cotton secure:

• A first-mover advantage in compliance & sustainability communication
• Stronger consumer trust through verifiable traceability
• A marketing edge with authentic storytelling

Get Involved – Partner with RCS

Are you ready to future-proof your cotton sourcing?
Contact our team of experts today: