Our view on cotton
Cotton is one of the main raw materials used for textile products at IKEA, from sofas and cushions to bedsheets and curtains. We have long been working with partners to develop cotton farming and set social and environmental standards for cotton production, that aims to use less pesticides, fertilizers and water and safeguarding decent working conditions. Our ambition will always be to develop how we source and use cotton.
Since 2015, the cotton used at IKEA comes from virgin cotton certified by our approved schemes* By using virgin cotton certified by our approved schemes* or recycled cotton**, prioritising compliance, working with partnerships and initiatives on the ground, we believe that we can contribute to a better global cotton industry.
A better cotton industry
Conventional cotton farming techniques still use large quantities of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and waste large amounts of water in areas where clean water is scarce. Many cotton farmers struggle to make a profit, and the situation often results in health risks to the farmer, soil erosion and water scarcity. At IKEA, we do not, as of September 2015, source from the conventional cotton industry. Today, more than 110,000 farmers have adopted more sustainable farming practices within IKEA projects. In these projects, we work with partners on the ground to improve the standards of the cotton industry, towards eliminating the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP), water reduction, and to implement fair and equal working conditions for farmers and people throughout our supply chain.
For more than a decade, IKEA has been working with WWF and other partners to transform cotton farming and set social and environmental standards for cotton production. The focus has been to make changes globally and impact on a large scale. IKEA is also a member of Better Cotton (BC), a multi-stakeholder organisation that sets social and environmental criteria for more sustainable cotton. Better Cotton has led to more efficient farming methods, as cotton growers are trained in sustainable farming techniques that use less water, chemical fertilisers, and pesticides while cutting costs and boosting the farmers' profits. This is long-term work, and at times, it is challenging. However, we think it is important to be part of a global change within the cotton industry and to work on improvements throughout the total supply chain.
Responsible sourcing
All IKEA products are produced in accordance with the IKEA IWAY Standard, our Supplier Code of Conduct. It sets the minimum environmental and social standards expected from our suppliers, including compliance with local laws. We do not accept any form of forced labour, child labour or treatment in breach of our supply chain requirements. At IKEA, we work with suppliers who share our values and follow our IWAY standards.
Cotton colleagues working across the globe are responsible for ensuring that all cotton used in IKEA products meets the demands of compliance in our supply chain. Our compliance culture and values are what guides us in the work we do. If we are acting in places where we, despite our efforts and ambitions, cannot ensure our requirements are being met due to non-transparent supply chains, or if we recognise that our initiatives can’t create the impact we aim for, we will always investigate alternatives. We follow-up on the ground and make changes, at times even diverting our supply chains.
We want to create a positive impact in the world of cotton, and we know that with our size and volumes, we have the possibility to make a difference. IKEA will continue to work towards improving the cotton industry from within and create a movement towards better cotton and better working conditions for those working in the industry. We acknowledge that in some areas and at some times, this is a challenging journey. This makes it even more important to continue to work towards making things better.
At IKEA we work hard to make sure that our high standards connected to social responsibility and environmental protection are met throughout the entire value chain. We also believe strongly in working together with other like-minded business and advocacy groups to further promote these values on a global level.
*includes the following external schemes: Better Cotton (as defined by BC, including their equivalence in various geographies), cotton from farmers working towards the BC standard, Cotton Made in Africa (CMiA) and Organic Cotton.
** The recycled cotton used at IKEA is certified by the worldwide external Global Recycled Standard (GRS)