Cotton origin verification testing

Eurofins Cotton origin testing service offers a service to the textile industry to verify the origin of cotton used in the manufacturing process through a combination of analytical techniques that includes Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA) technology.

By verifying the origin of cotton and providing a secure, qualified supply chain, we help you in promoting transparency in the home textiles, apparel and personal hygiene products industries.

Eurofins cotton origin testing

Growing cotton plants naturally absorb chemicals from their environment through the soil, air and precipitations. 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. This gives cotton plants a unique environmental chemical signature specific to the region they were grown in.

Eurofins Sustainable chemistry experts can analyse cotton environmental signatures and use them as an origin verification tool.

Wide scope of cotton material testing

Eurofins cotton origin traceability testing can be offered on raw, processed and dyed cotton samples. 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 and regional level.

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 acrylic.

We can verify the geographic origin of your samples down to the country and, in most cases, regional levels.

Eurofins cotton verification testing process

Eurofins uses a combination of analytical techniques, including the Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA) of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon, to form an environmental “signature” of our client’s sample. The sample’s environmental signature is then compared to that of cotton of known origin in our dynamic reference database.

If the signatures are consistent with each other, then the product sample passes, and its claimed origin is verified.

Cotton origin verification through SIRA technology

By understanding the different characteristics of the atoms that make up all natural materials we can reveal important information. The study of atoms can control the origin of cotton, food, materials and other objects. Atoms can vary depending on the number of neutrons and these varieties are called isotopes.

The isotopes can be separated by weight using specialist machines and the amounts and proportions can be used to reveal an isotopic signature that can be matched with a database to determine where materials are produced down to a country and regional level in most cases.

Eurofins uses Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS); find out more about SIRA testing.

Benefits of Eurofins sustainable cotton verification services

• Cost-effective testing price with no additional fees
• Total testing flexibility
• Wide scope of sample types from any point in the supply chain
• Choose how your sample is collected
• Confirm responsible sourcing to import with confidence
• Work directly with your Eurofins contact point
• Traceability support service from our subject matter experts