The GCA – established in 1935, due to the urgent need of the Polish cotton circles for creating the rules and place for settling the disputes in the domestic port of discharging cotton. In 1938 Arbitrating Body for Cotton in Gdynia commenced its activity. Supported by the elder European associations, the GCA created good conditions for cotton arbitrations - special premises for classing and arbitrating of cotton, practiced experts, formally accepted rules of arbitration. Just before the II WW the American Cotton Shippers Association allowed the GCA to arbitrate American cotton.

Gdynia Cotton Classification School, opened in 1948 is one of the three institutions in the world holding such trainings. The cotton classification courses, international cotton conferences, seminars and workshops organized by the GCA are fully renowned in the cotton society both in Poland and in the world. Recognised and professionally equipped ISO-accredited Laboratory for testing cotton & yarns has been working since 1963. The GCA is also the licenser of the Polish and International Cotton Emblems which promote products made of pure cotton.

Signatory of the Universal Cotton Standards Conference, member of several international cotton organizations, like CICCA, ECC, IFCP and the coordinating agency approved by Polish government for cooperation with International Cotton Advisory Committee - the GCA is the significant member of the international cotton community.

Representing the rights of manufacturers, merchants and consumers of cotton products the GCA has been co-operating with governmental bodies and parliamentary committees - both in Poland and in the European Union. The GCA activity directed towards shaping the advantageous economical policy for the whole textile branch of industry, as well, as for the members, indirectly tends to retain the level of cotton consumption.

While the activities of the Gdynia Cotton Association have changed over 75 years, the mission of the GCA remains almost the same: to assist the cotton companies in supporting a healthy, structurally strong cotton sector in Poland as well as on the international arena, enhancing the activities of other institutions, authorities and organisations interested in cotton and allied fibres & textile industries worldwide. Raising awareness of cotton & other natural fibres issues, providing information necessary for decision-making and facilitating cooperation among industry segments and government, as well as promotion of cotton as the mayor natural fibre – these are only few from many important activities of our Association.