Eurofins cotton origin verification testing offers unparalleled expertise and customer service to businesses. With reliable analytical techniques, we can verify the origin of cotton in products and help promote transparency in the home textiles, apparel and personal hygiene industries.

Eurofins’ proactive solution for cotton origin verification testing

• Customer-centric approach for cotton supply chains: We prioritise your needs by maintaining close contact throughout the entire process. It can be challenging to navigate the results from cotton origin verification testing. This is why initial results and report handover, alongside any future challenging results takes place with a comprehensive guided discussion and tailored recommendations.
• Unique to Eurofins: Unlike other providers, Eurofins offers personalised support and in-depth interpretation of your results. Our commitment to your success ensures that you get the most out of your cotton testing experience, have direct access to our expertise, and competitive turnaround times.
• Ensuring you maintain compliance: We hold discussions with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency, ensuring we are aligned with them in the range of tools we leverage to determine the origin of cotton in our customers’ products.

The trusted science behind our testing techniques

As cotton plants grow they will naturally develop a chemical signature from their environment through the soil, air and precipitations. By understanding the different characteristics of the atoms that make up cotton, we can reveal important information. Atoms can vary depending on the number of neutrons and these varieties are called isotopes. The precise combination and ratio of chemical elements and their isotopes in a cotton plant is therefore affected by location, temperature, weather patterns, water source and altitude. Our proactive approach analyses cotton environmental signatures through Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA). Isotope testing is a widely accepted methodology that has been used and trusted in the forensic space for many years. This testing has been used extensively in the food industry, which Eurofins has significant experience in.

What to expect from Eurofins’ cotton origin verification testing process

1. Sample collection. Customer sends material for cotton origin testing to a Eurofins testing facility or the Eurofins Consumer Product Assurance network securely collects samples for testing from the supply chain. Continue reading to learn about the types of materials we test for cotton origin on.
2. Analytical testing. We use a three stage verification process (where appropriate) for our cotton origin testing, which includes Trace elements and Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA).
3. Interpretation of results. We thoroughly review the results of the cotton analytical testing and compare them with data from our expansive reference database. This is where we will verify the cotton origin against a declared origin.
4. Result reported. We gather all the collected data on the cotton origin of your material, in addition to our in-depth interpretation and analysis, into a comprehensive report.
5. Guided discussion of results. This final step is the most valuable to our customers and is not provided by any other cotton origin testing service providers. Our specialists meet with the customer and provide a comprehensive review of the testing results and their meaning. This ensures our customers fully understand the outcome of the cotton origin testing and have all the information they need to effectively act on the findings.

Our reference library database

• Undergoes regular maintenance and is a dynamic dataset
• Covers all major cotton growing regions
• Is sourced from a network of international cotton growers

Advantages of Eurofins’ cotton origin isotope test

• Accurate and reliable verification of cotton origins using advanced SIRA technology
• Competitive turnaround times
• Can be used to support transparency and traceability throughout your cotton supply chain
• Tests consistency with claimed origin, i.e. a verification of claimed origin
• Can confirm whether or not a sample of cotton matches the isotopic profile for having been grown in the country you believe it to have originated from

Wide scope of materials we test for cotton origin

Eurofins cotton origin testing can analyse raw, processed, blended and dyed pure cotton samples, as well as where cotton may be mixed with fibres like polyester and elastane. We can test a wide scope of cotton samples from any point in the supply chain, including

• Pure cotton
• Raw
• Processed
• Dyed
• Dual (blended)
• Cotton blended with synthetic materials; Polyester, Acrylic and others
• Finished article

The results of the isotope analysis can control if a sample is consistent with our global, geographical cotton database, in most cases down to country level.

Navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with confidence

In today’s fast-paced regulatory environment, responding to significant legislations such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) is crucial. Our services are designed to help you swiftly and effectively address these urgent compliance needs.

• Proactive solution for emerging legislation: As other regions develop similar regulations focusing on cotton traceability, we help you stay ahead of the curve. Our proactive solutions are tailored to ensure that your cotton-containing products are compliant and can smoothly reach their market destinations.
• Enhance your brand responsibility: Today’s consumers are increasingly prioritising responsible brands. Our services help you not only comply with regulations but also build a reputation for transparency and ethical sourcing.

Cotton testing resources

Eurofins is passionate about providing you with accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information. Please see below for valuable resources on cotton testing.

• Webinar on-demand | From Policy to Practice: How to prepare and respond to UFLPA. Watch now!
• Article | US CBP publishes isotopic testing guidance for UFLPA compliance. Read now!
• Certification | Eurofins is accredited to provide GOTS third-party certification. Learn more!
• Testing | Non-GMO and organic cotton testing. Learn more!

Embrace a future of regulatory compliance and consumer trust with Eurofins

Ensure your products are market-ready and aligned with global standards. Contact us today to learn more!