Cotton Council International (CCI) has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and will be using the group's Higg Index sustainability dimension tools to drive environmental and social accountability throughout its distribution chain.

CCI joins over 250 global brands, retailers, and producers, in addition to government, non-profit environmental organizations, and academic institutions, committed to improving supply chain sustainability in the apparel, footwear, and textile market.

Through the SAC, CCI will contribute information about US-grown cotton into the Higg Index which enables brands to make conclusions about their supply chain which have a positive influence on the environment.

"We are pleased to be joining the SAC, convinced that together we can scale positive impact on product sustainability over time," said Steph Thiers-Ratcliffe, CCI director of European manufacturers and retailers.

"With shared vision in providing robust environmental information to the industry, we will collaborate to enable greater supply chain transparency and informed decision making."

The Higg Index is an indicator-based package of tools that empowers suppliers, manufacturers, brands, and retailers to evaluate materials, products, facilities, and procedures based on environmental performance, social labour practices and merchandise layout choices.

SAC Executive Director Amina Razvi said:"We welcome the inclusion of CCI to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and look forward to its involvement in this industry-wide effort in sustainability.

"Having CCI as part of this coalition widens the reach of our impact within the business and accelerates the change we're making towards accountable industry actions."