Fair Trade, Organic, and Better Cotton Initiatives in Global Cotton Markets (1970–present)

1. IFOAM founded to coordinate organic agriculture

   Nov 5, 1972Labels: IFOAM

   • IFOAM
   • IFOAM Bio

2. First Fairtrade label launched in Netherlands

   Nov 15, 1988Labels: Max Havelaar

   • Guinness
   • Fairtrade NL

3. Fairtrade Foundation established in the UK

   Jan 1, 1992Labels: Fairtrade Foundation

   • Fairtrade Fdn
   • Fairtrade UK

4. Fairtrade International (FLO) created to unify labeling

   Jan 1, 1997Labels: Fairtrade International

   • Fairtrade Int
   • FLO DE

5. International Fairtrade Certification Mark introduced

   Jan 1, 2002Labels: Fairtrade Mark

   • Fairtrade Mark
   • Fairtrade Int

6. Organic Exchange founded to scale organic cotton

   Jan 1, 2002Labels: Organic Exchange

   • Textile Exch

7. GOTS working group formed to harmonize textile rules

   Aug 1, 2002Labels: GOTS working

   • GOTS Story
   • GOTS Org

8. FLO-CERT formed to independently certify Fairtrade

   Nov 1, 2003Labels: FLO-CERT

   • Devex
   • Fairtrade Int

9. Better Cotton idea launched in WWF-led roundtable

   Jan 1, 2005Labels: WWF roundtable

   • Better Cotton

10. GOTS established and first certification completed

    Oct 1, 2006Labels: GOTS

    • GOTS Story
    • GOTS Org

11. Better Cotton Initiative officially launched and standard published

    Jan 1, 2009Labels: Better Cotton

    • Better Cotton

12. Better Cotton implementation begins in key regions

    Jan 1, 2010Labels: BCI implementation

    • Better Cotton
    • BCI Wiki

13. OEKO-TEX introduces MADE IN GREEN label

    Apr 1, 2015Labels: OEKO-TEX

    • OEKO TEX
    • Press release

14. Fairtrade updates cotton minimum prices amid inflation

    Oct 1, 2025Labels: Fairtrade International

    • Fairtrade news