Leading third-party certifier SCS Global Services (SCS) has been approved by Textile Exchange as a licensed certification body for the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).

In this role, SCS is now authorised to conduct independent certification assessments of wool production under the Farm Scope of the standard. SCS is also currently in the licensing process for the Processing Scope of the standard, and will soon be able to offer RWS services all the way from the farm through the final manufacturer.

“We are pleased to be an approved licensed certification body and to be able to participate in this landmark sustainability initiative,” said Nicole Muñoz, SCS Managing Director. “SCS has a long track record of experience in environmental sustainability certification. We are excited to bring this expertise to the table to further the efforts of this collaboration and partnership with farmers, manufacturers, brands and retailers.”

Responsible Wool Standard

Textile Exchange is a multi-stakeholder industry group whose members are located in eight countries and represent all stages of the textile value cycle. The Responsible Wool Standard was developed with broad stakeholder input, including farmers, animal welfare groups and apparel brands.

Its objective is to provide the textile industry with a tool to ensure that wool comes from farms with sustainable land management practices, and from sheep that have been treated responsibly. The final standard was released in June 2016 after two years of development and pilot audits conducted worldwide.

SCS Global Services

SCS is a California benefit corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and was the 2016 recipient of the Acterra Business Environmental Award for Sustainability.

SCS provides third-party certification under a variety of internationally sustainable agriculture labels, including SCS Sustainably Grown, Veriflora, Better Cotton Initiative, Fair Trade USA, the Equitable Farm Initiative’s Responsibly Grown / Farmworker Assured, the Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials, and more.

In addition, it provides independent auditing oversight for the sustainability supply chain programmes of several international consumer brands. Its worldwide network of auditors perform assessments for large, medium, and small farms, as well as farm groups.

www.scsglobalservices.com

Further reading

Textile Exchange announces release of Responsible Wool Standard