Cotton’s Inaugural Year at Total Store Expo

COTTON NEWS

Cotton Incorporated’s nonwovens staff recently joined the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) for Total Store Expo in Boston, Massachusetts, with the goal of expanding exposure of the Seal of Cotton in nonwovens and medical textiles to traditional drug stores, supermarkets, and mass merchants with pharmacies. Cotton Incorporated’s booth included education on cotton, including the fiber’s hypoallergenic1 benefits and sustainability profile, and focused on how brands could obtain a no-fee license to use the Seal of Cotton trademark.

WHAT IS THE SEAL OF COTTON?

Introduced in 1973, the Seal of Cotton trademark was created to provide a visual reference for consumers to identify products made of cotton. Eight out of every ten consumers recognize the Seal of Cotton trademark, and 85 percent perceive products that use the Seal of Cotton as soft, comfortable, natural, and of good quality.2 Since its inception, this no-fee global licensing program from Cotton Incorporated has grown to include a family of relevant trademarks.

WHAT ARE THE LICENSING STEPS?

The steps to license the Seal of Cotton include:

1. A requester (retailer, brand, or manufacturer) submits a one-page Product Information Sheet (PIS) and product sample to Cotton Incorporated. (All information is kept confidential.)

2. Once reviewed and approved, the requester will receive a new license agreement to sign and return. Existing licensees will receive a modified original agreement with broadened product scope when applicable.

3. Both the requester and Cotton Incorporated sign the agreement, and a fully executed and complete copy is sent to requester.

4. Once agreements are finalized, Cotton Incorporated forwards trademark artwork files in requesters preferred format.

5. Retailer, brand, or manufacturer adds trademark to packaging and/or marketing materials and shares their art files with Cotton Incorporated for final sign-off to ensure the trademark is properly presented before published or printed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does the Seal of Cotton help manufacturers and retailers?

The Seal of Cotton is a powerful consumer influencer, as well as a highly effective sales builder.

How does the Seal of Cotton help consumers?

The trademark makes shopping easier by helping consumers identify products containing cotton.

Are there geographical restrictions on the use of the Seal of Cotton?

No, the trademark is available worldwide.

How can I take advantage of the Seal of Cotton?

Once a licensing agreement is in place, you can incorporate the Seal of Cotton in your print or digital marketing media (with approval).

WHY BRANDS CHOOSE COTTON

SKIN-SAFE:

For millions of people with sensitive skin, choosing non-irritating fibers is critical. When put to the test, cotton performs and its safety is clinically proven: 200 participants, 400 tests, and zero irritation response.

SUSTAINABLE:

From water conservation to soil health to reducing energy use, cotton production continues to see progress towards a more sustainable future.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Contact nonwovens@cottoninc.com or visit cottonworks.com/nonwovens to learn more.

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1. Cotton Incorporated’s 2019 clinical trials on Determination of the Irritating and Sensitizing Propensities of Mechanically Cleaned and Purified Cotton on Human Skin

2. Cotton Incorporated’s 2020 Seal of Cotton Survey

The Seal of Cotton is a trademark of Cotton Incorporated