BECOMING A BCI MEMBER
This document comprises of:
1. The membership application form
2. The membership contract (Membership Code of Practice and Terms of Membership)
The membership application form must be completed, signed and returned to BCI along with
required support documents as outlined in the form before membership applications can be
accepted.
Once your application has been approved, you will need to sign the membership contract
and return to BCI along with proof of payment of your annual fee in order to activate your
BCI membership.
BetterCotton.org
Be part of something Better
, MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION FORM
CIVIL SOCIETY
Civil Society members are not-for-profit organisations which serve the public interest and
common good related to the cotton supply chain.
Membership Criteria
Membership is open to all organisations. BCI is an inclusive initiative which aims to work with
its members and partners to achieve its goal of transforming cotton production worldwide by
developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity. Applicants to
membership should fulfil the following:
1. Your organisation’s long-term aspirations support BCI’s mission, aims and strategic
principles for Better Cotton (bettercotton.org/about-bci/).
2. Your organisation is a legal entity or a group of legal entities.
If your organisation forms part of a group, BCI recommends that the entire group
becomes a member of BCI. If your organisation runs integrated operations including
several processing steps, your membership will be categorised according to the
highest value activity exercised.
3. Your organisation should have a minimum of 1 year’s existence.
4. Your organisation is able to demonstrate an existing commitment to good
environmental and social standards.
Evidence includes but is not limited to a publicly available commitment to
sustainability as well as either implementing a code of conduct or implementing a
management standard covering both environmental and social practices.
5. Your organisation does not pose a reputational risk to BCI through past or present
activities. This includes but is not limited to, child labour, health and safety violations
or being listed on an internationally recognised default list or advisory list (e.g. ICA’s
List of Unfulfilled Awards). BCI reserves the right to protect and safeguard itself
against risks to BCI’s integrity and credibility.
Companies not meeting one or more of the membership criteria listed above may still
apply to the BCI by adding a justification to their application form. The justification
addendum can be requested from BCI for completion by applicant after a review of the
Page 1 of 14 BetterCotton.org
Be part of something Better
This document comprises of:
1. The membership application form
2. The membership contract (Membership Code of Practice and Terms of Membership)
The membership application form must be completed, signed and returned to BCI along with
required support documents as outlined in the form before membership applications can be
accepted.
Once your application has been approved, you will need to sign the membership contract
and return to BCI along with proof of payment of your annual fee in order to activate your
BCI membership.
BetterCotton.org
Be part of something Better
, MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION FORM
CIVIL SOCIETY
Civil Society members are not-for-profit organisations which serve the public interest and
common good related to the cotton supply chain.
Membership Criteria
Membership is open to all organisations. BCI is an inclusive initiative which aims to work with
its members and partners to achieve its goal of transforming cotton production worldwide by
developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity. Applicants to
membership should fulfil the following:
1. Your organisation’s long-term aspirations support BCI’s mission, aims and strategic
principles for Better Cotton (bettercotton.org/about-bci/).
2. Your organisation is a legal entity or a group of legal entities.
If your organisation forms part of a group, BCI recommends that the entire group
becomes a member of BCI. If your organisation runs integrated operations including
several processing steps, your membership will be categorised according to the
highest value activity exercised.
3. Your organisation should have a minimum of 1 year’s existence.
4. Your organisation is able to demonstrate an existing commitment to good
environmental and social standards.
Evidence includes but is not limited to a publicly available commitment to
sustainability as well as either implementing a code of conduct or implementing a
management standard covering both environmental and social practices.
5. Your organisation does not pose a reputational risk to BCI through past or present
activities. This includes but is not limited to, child labour, health and safety violations
or being listed on an internationally recognised default list or advisory list (e.g. ICA’s
List of Unfulfilled Awards). BCI reserves the right to protect and safeguard itself
against risks to BCI’s integrity and credibility.
Companies not meeting one or more of the membership criteria listed above may still
apply to the BCI by adding a justification to their application form. The justification
addendum can be requested from BCI for completion by applicant after a review of the
Page 1 of 14 BetterCotton.org
Be part of something Better
