MEMPHIS, TENN (October 7, 2021) – The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes global apparel manufacturer Hela Clothing, a provider of sustainability-focused supply chain solutions, as a new member. With facilities located in Sri Lanka, Kenya Ethiopia and Egypt, the company supplies products for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, VF Corporation (VFC), Michael Kors, Tesco, NEXT and more.
“At Hela Clothing, we have been committed to designing and manufacturing sustainable apparel for more than two decades,” said Sachith Balage, Group General Manager – Sourcing & Supply Chain of Hela Clothing. “Our membership with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will allow us to further advance our sustainable supply chain road map and demonstrate our leadership in ethical working environments to continue designing innovative apparel for our customers.”
The Trust Protocol is a farm level, science-based program that sets a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements to sustainable cotton production as well as drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics: Land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, GHG emissions, and energy efficiency. Members will also be provided with full supply chain transparency through the Protocol Consumption Management Solution.
“We are pleased to welcome Hela Clothing to the Trust Protocol,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Members of the Trust Protocol receive the critical assurances they need to further prove to their customers that they are sourcing sustainably grown cotton with lower environmental and social risk. We look forward to working with Hela Clothing as they continue to develop their sustainability and transparency commitments.”
The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 450 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. This includes PVH Corp. and its iconic brands, Levi Strauss & Co. and its legacy brands, Gap Inc. and its collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan. The Trust Protocol has also welcomed UK retailers Tesco, Byford and Next Plc. Other Trust Protocol member announcements include the first 10 U.S. member mills and the first members in Latin America.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and it is also part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040, and Cotton Up initiatives.
To learn more about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol visit trustuscotton.org.
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About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
In a period of ever-greater supply chain scrutiny and growing demand for transparency, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol sets a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to responsibly-grown cotton production and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics.
The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies U.S. cotton’s progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental risk. Brands and retailers will gain access to U.S. cotton with sustainability credentials proven via Field to Market, measured via the Fieldprint Calculator and verified with Control Union Certifications.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society and independent sustainability experts as well as the cotton-growing industry, including growers, ginners, merchants, wholesalers and cooperatives, mills and cottonseed handlers.
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