The HIP System

The HIP (Hard Identity Preserved) Chain of Custody (CoC) model ensures full, uninterrupted transparency and traceability of Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) verified cotton—from the CmiA cotton producer all the way to the CmiA- labelled finished product. Products labelled with the „Cotton made in Africa Inside“ logo demonstrate that the requirements of the HIP CoC model have been successfully and properly implemented during the production.

How is this CoC model implemented into the supply chain?

Under the HIP CoC model, CmiA cotton and CmiA HIP materials and products (comber noils, yarns, fabrics, garments) must be segregated at all stages of the supply chain (from cotton producer to retailer/brand). This model ensures that CmiA cotton is not mixed, blended or substitutes with non-verified materials.

PS.: Did you know that HIP is also the underlying system of the Regenerative Cotton Standard® (RCS), a standard for cotton grown by small-scale farmers using regenerative farming methods?

How does HIP ensure traceability?

Additionally to the segregation and separation of CmiA cotton and further processed input materials complete documentation is mandatory at each production stage, ensuring traceability and accountability from CmiA raw material to the CmiA-labelled finished product. A digital tracking system records each CmiA purchase and sales transaction and movement of CmiA cotton volumes within the supply chain, delivering end-to-end visibility across all supply chain partners.

Does this also mean that HIP-labelled products are verified and audited?

To strengthen the integrity of HIP, the Aid by Trade Foundation developed the AbTF Transparency Strandard which introduces an additional layer of third-party verification and supply chain assurance. It includes:

• Risk-based desktop auditsby independent third parties that assess data flows and documentation across the CmiA HIP supply chain to verify reliable implementation.
• Digital Transaction Documents (DTDs)—auditor-verified, electronic records that trace each retailer’s purchase order back to the cotton’s origin. Any missing step invalidates the traceability, ensuring full supply chain integrity.
• Self-assessment questionnairescompleted by all CmiA supply chain actors to support internal compliance with segregation, separation, and documentation requirements.
• Regular on-site auditsat spinning mills to confirm the correct implementation of HIP and adherence to transparency requirements.

This standard ensures that HIP-labelled products are not only traceable—but also verified, audited, and transparent from cotton field to retail shop.

How do partners benefit from chosing HIP?

With HIP, brands and retailers can offer fully traceable CmiA cotton, meeting rising expectations around due diligence, supply chain transparency, and consumer trust.

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