Cotton Futures Classification: Optional Classification Procedure

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending regulations to allow for the addition of an optional cotton futures classification procedure--identified and known as "registration" by the U.S. cotton industry and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). In response to requests from the U.S. cotton industry and ICE, AMS will offer a futures classification option whereby cotton bales may be certificated for the purpose of an exchange's cotton futures contract using Smith-Doxey data to verify that submitted bales meet more restrictive quality requirements and age parameters established by that exchange. AMS anticipates that the futures classification option will be available in time for the implementation of ICE's Cotton Resolution No. 2, which is scheduled to commence with the March 2014 contract month.