Siegelklarheit Rates Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) as "Excellent"
- Photo Info
- Download
- 4 additional media items
One document
- The comprehensive update of the label guide platform “Siegelklarheit” went online yesterday.
- It aims to offer consumers even more informative and reliable guidance.
- CmiA is considered one of the best-rated standards for sustainable cotton.
- The assessment was based on the 'Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool' (SSCT)
Hamburg, 2026-07-03. Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) has been awarded the top grade "Excellent" by the German sustainability label assessment platform "Siegelklarheit". This rating recognizes CmiA for its performance in credibility, environmental, and social standards, positioning the standard among the best-rated seals available on the market. The grading was carried out by Siegelklarheit, based on a professionally reviewed evaluation system.
The current assessment of CmiA took place as part of a comprehensive update of the Siegelklarheit evaluation system. The information platform, which has been reviewing sustainability labels for consumers since 2015, has expanded its rating scale from two to five levels, and published its assessment today. The aim of this revision is to differentiate more clearly between various sustainability labels, offering consumers even more informative and reliable guidance. Since labels have varying requirements for credibility, environmental, and/or social issues, this step was intended to make the portal even more consumer-friendly and informative. The result of the re-evaluation is clear: Cotton made in Africa receives the top grade "Excellent" and thus proves itself to be a credible standard.
The evaluation of Cotton made in Africa was based on the "Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool" (SSCT). According to SSCT, CmiA meets 100 percent of all minimum criteria regarding credibility and social compatibility, and achieves 88 percent in the environmental category. SSCT is a methodical approach for assessing and comparing sustainability labels. Over 200 national and international experts from federal institutions, standard organizations, science, business, and civil society were involved in its development, including the International Trade Centre (ITC), ISEAL Alliance and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. International agreements, such as those of the International Labour Organization (ILO), serve as a fundamental basis for the evaluation.
The "Siegelklarheit" information platform is operated by Verbraucherzentrale NRW (Consumer Association of North Rhine-Westphalia), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. In the past, the CmiA standard had already been awarded the rating "Very good choice".
For more information on SSCT: SSCT Admintool v3.27.13
Press Contact
Christina Ben Bella, e-mail: christina.benbella@abt-foundation.org Holger Diedrich, e-mail: holger.diedrich@abt-foundation.org
Aid by Trade Foundation | Werner-Otto-Straße 13 b | 22197 Hamburg | Germany
About Cotton made in Africa
The Cotton made in Africa® initiative (CmiA) was founded in 2005 under the umbrella of the Hamburg-based Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF). CmiA is an internationally recognised standard for sustainably verified cotton from Africa, connecting African small-scale farmers with trading companies and fashion brands throughout the global textile value chain. The initiative’s objective is to employ trade, rather than donations, to protect the environment and to improve the living conditions of small-scale farmers and their families. Apart from the farming families, people working in ginneries also benefit from improved working conditions. Additional projects addressing schooling, health, environmental protection, and women’s empowerment contribute to better living conditions in farming communities as well. Learn more at: cottonmadeinafrica.org/en
About the Aid by Trade Foundation
Founded by the entrepreneur Prof. Dr Michael Otto in 2005, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is an internationally renowned non-profit organisation that works throughout the world to promote sustainable raw materials. Its work makes a decisive and measurable contribution to improving the living conditions of people and animals while protecting the environment. With its verified raw materials Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA), Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic), Regenerative Cotton Standard® (RCS) and The Good Cashmere Standard® (GCS), the foundation is putting its goals into practice. In view of the increasing challenges posed to small farmers and textile companies by the consequences of climate change and market shifts, the standards are of fundamental importance for their resilience and sustainability. The foundation works in close cooperation with industry experts and with specialists in animal and nature protection. More information at: www.aidbytrade.org
.jpg.jpg)
.jpg.jpg)
.jpg.jpg)
.jpg.jpg)