CSITC Expands Round Trial Programme with ABRAPA as New Sample Provider
Brazilian Cotton Growers Association to begin supplying cotton samples for global testing programme from Q2 2026
The ICAC's Committee on the Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton (CSITC) has announced that the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (ABRAPA) will serve as an official provider of cotton samples for its Round Trial programme beginning with the Q2 2026 Round Trials.
Since 2003, CSITC has conducted quarterly Round Trials to support accurate, consistent and comparable measurement of cotton fibre quality characteristics among testing laboratories worldwide.
Under the programme, identical cotton samples are distributed to participating laboratories, which analyse the materials using their standard testing procedures and submit results for evaluation.
Expanded Sample Framework
Until now, sample provision and distribution for the Round Trials had been managed exclusively by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
With the addition of ABRAPA, the programme will include cotton samples from a broader range of varieties, reflecting the diversity of the international cotton trade while maintaining the homogeneity required for dependable testing outcomes.
The expanded framework is expected to enhance representation within the programme without altering its established testing methodology.
Supporting Accuracy in Cotton Testing
The Round Trial programme is designed to assist laboratories in improving cotton instrument testing performance through detailed and confidential diagnostic assessments.
Participating laboratories are not assigned pass or fail ratings. Instead, each facility receives a comprehensive evaluation of its test results and any deviations from established reference values.
This process enables laboratories to identify potential testing issues and make improvements that support greater measurement accuracy over time.
For additional information about the programme, visit https://csitc.org/.