Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia

The report analyzes the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in the South Asian cotton sector, specifically in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It identifies that while VSSs can improve agrochemical use, water conservation, and incomes for farmers and workers, the regional policy landscape needs strengthening through national legislation and trade agreements to maximize these benefits. The document provides specific recommendations for VSS bodies to improve training and traceability, and for policy-makers to update labor and environmental policies and establish organic seed banks.

• Voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) such as Organic, Fairtrade, Better Cotton, and the Responsible Environment Enhanced Livelihoods (REEL) Cotton Code can drive improvements in water conservation, agrochemical use, and the incomes of textile workers and cotton farmers in South Asia.
• The report suggests that the policy landscape in South Asia can be improved to better leverage VSSs through the use of national legislation and trade agreements to foster regional cooperation and environmental and social sustainability.

APA

Sarmiento,, V. V. E. (2023). Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply

Chicago

Sarmiento,, Vivek Voora,Sara Elder,Florencia. Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sarmiento, |first1=Vivek Voora,Sara Elder,Florencia |title=Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2 March 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sarmiento2023voluntary, author = {Sarmiento,, Vivek Voora,Sara Elder,Florencia}, title = {{Voluntary Sustainability Standards in South Asia}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/voluntary-sustainability-standards-south-asia-cotton-supply}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }