None of this works without you because the cotton could not be fashioned into clothing without you.
The following steps apply first and foremost to the CmiA mass balance system (MB). If you or your clients wish to use the hard identity preserved system, additional requirements will need to be met.
This is the most important step. Purchase CmiA-certified cotton from authorised traders. Please order CmiA cotton specifically: African cotton is not a sufficient guarantee of quality. In addition, Cotton made in Africa status must be specified on contracts and invoices. Please send us a suitable document as proof of purchase.
Register your company with ATAKORA Fördergesellschaft GmbH, the Aid by Trade Foundation’s marketing association. At this stage, you will be asked to provide additional information about your products and to appoint a contact person to coordinate integration with CmiA.
After paying the registration fee, your spinning mill will receive a CmiA certificate valid for one year, and it will be added to all relevant lists and databases as a CmiA yarn supplier. Potential clients now know that they can purchase CmiA yarn from your spinning mill.
As a registered spinning mill, you are entitled to produce and sell as much CmiA yarn as you have purchased CmiA cotton. As soon as your mass balance becomes negative, new CmiA cotton must be ordered.
You are required to report your CmiA cotton purchases and CmiA yarn sales to ATAKORA Fördergesellschaft GmbH every month. This applies even if your spinning mill is integrated in a multi-part or vertical production operation and has produced CmiA yarn for its own use.
Incomplete or incorrect monthly reports or a negative mass balance without a timely new order of CmiA cotton will result in the spinning mill’s previously valid certificate being revoked. This involves deletion from the corresponding databases and lists as well as a notice being sent to all CmiA partners. However, re-registration at a later date is possible.
The following information is also important for processing CmiA cotton:
More detailed data and materials are available for download here, including registration forms and guidelines, the current list of all CmiA cotton traders, Chain of Custody Guidelines, the Code of Conduct, and links to the CmiA supply chain app for Android and iOS.
Download our Supply Chain App here:
Cotton made in Africa smooths the way for using sustainable raw materials in the mass market by providing you with advice and support for integration into existing procurement structures. Feel free to contact us by email at
Your contact persons
supplychain@abt-foundation.org.
