Australian cotton is helping licensed brand partners demonstrate greater visibility of the cotton used in their products. This was reflected in Baptist World Aid’s 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, with Cotton Australia contributing data and information to support the research and provide greater recognition of Australian cotton within participating brands.
The biennial report assesses more than 500 global and Australian brands across 48 areas, including governance, supply chain traceability, supplier relationships, worker empowerment and environmental sustainability.
Cotton Australia supported the research by providing information on Australian cotton’s traceability, supply chain and sustainability practices. When our licensed brand partners identified Australian cotton in their sourcing, this information was pre-populated into the relevant survey responses, helping to inform their assessments.
This visibility is supported by the Australian Cotton Mark program, which enables licensed brands partners to identify products containing Australian cotton in accordance with the program’s licensing requirements. Brands submit supporting documentation to Cotton Australia, which is reviewed as part of the verification process to ensure approved products meet the relevant requirements.
Beyond supply chain traceability, the Australian cotton industry has invested in on-farm sustainability for decades through research and development, improved farming practices and innovation. A key part of this work is myBMP (Best Management Practices), the industry’s voluntary assurance program, which is benchmarked against the Better Cotton standard. More than 50% of Australian cotton growers participate in myBMP, alongside the industry’s broader involvement in global sustainability programs.
These ongoing efforts have helped Australian cotton growers produce cotton more efficiently, using fewer resources than in the past. Compared with 1997, producing a bale of Australian cotton now requires:
- 97% less insecticide
- 52% less water
- 34% less land
The industry also supports more than 7,000 jobs across Australian cotton farms and gins, reflecting the people and regional communities behind the fibre.
While many brands have introduced policies addressing workers’ rights and environmental sustainability, visibility beyond direct suppliers remains a significant challenge.
For our licensed brands, these industry-wide efforts provide trusted information about the fibre in their products, and the people and practices behind it. This transparency is a real advantage for brands that partner with us, and the results speak for themselves.
We’re proud to recognise the results achieved by some of our licensed brand partners in the Ethical Fashion Report:
- Rodd & Gunn scored 72
- AS Colour scored 67
- Workwear Group scored 62
- Retail Apparel Group scored 53
Congratulations to all our licensed brand partners on their results and continued efforts towards more ethical and sustainable fashion.
Read the full Ethical Fashion Report on the Baptist World Aid website: https://baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/ethical-fashion-guide/
November, 2026.