Participants in international trade in many countries are organized into national cotton associations, many with an international character. The membership of some associations include both domestic and foreign organizations and individuals. Cotton associations serve the interests of cotton producers, buyers, sellers and consumers by providing trading rules and mechanisms to resolve trade disputes. Cotton associations promote and facilitate cotton trade in a fair and orderly fashion to the benefit of a sound world cotton economy. In addition to maintaining trading rules, cotton associations provide other important services, such as technical and quality arbitration, traditional and HVI classing, fora for international conferences and discussions of cotton affairs, training seminars around the world, market information and statistics.

Twelve of the largest cotton associations with similar objectives compose the Committee for International Cooperation between Cotton Associations (CICCA). Each of the CICCA member associations act independently, but use CICCA as a forum for discussion and collective action when appropriate. CICCA promotes trading rules and arbitration practices of its member associations and stands for the concept of sanctity of contracts. CICCA publishes a directory of all firms affiliated with its member associations. Membership in the 12 CICCA member associations accounts for more than 960 firms. It is estimated that members of these associations handle over 90% of world cotton trade.