Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization working closely with all sectors of the textile supply chain, has announced the release of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).

The RWS is an independent, voluntary standard. On farms, the certification aims to ensure that sheep are treated with respect to their five freedoms and the best practices in the management and protection of the land are adhered to. Through the processing stages, certification ensures that wool from certified farms is properly identified and tracked.

Global benchmark

The Standard is intended to be a global benchmark for animal welfare and land management practices in sheep farming. The goals of the standard are to provide the industry with the tool to recognize the best practices of farmers around the globe and provide a robust chain of custody system from farm to final product to ensure consumer confidence in RWS products.

The system also ensures that wool comes from responsibly treated sheep and from farms with a progressive approach to managing their land and aims to build communication and understanding between farmers, consumers and brands.

Responsible Wool Standard

In March 2014, H&M and Textile Exchange started an International Working Group (IWG) to develop the Responsible Wool Standard. The IWG includes representation from a broad spectrum of interested parties, including animal welfare groups, farmers, wool suppliers, and brands and supply industry associations, covering both apparel and home categories.

The Standard development process began with hours of research of existing standards. In late 2015, pilot audits began in key sheep raising regions in the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, Austria, the United States and the United Kingdom, each providing valuable information used to refine the requirements, and certification approach.

Two Public Stakeholder Review periods were held to invite feedback from anyone interested in the Standard. The final version was approved by the Steering Committee of the International Working Group prior to its release. There are currently three Certification Bodies that are in process of Textile Exchange approval: Control Union, LETIS, and NSF.

Textile Exchange

Textile Exchange, founded in 2002, is a global non-profit organization that works closely with all sectors of the textile supply chain to find the best ways to minimize and even reverse the negative impacts on people, air, water, animals, and soil created by this US$ 1.7 trillion industry.

The organisation accomplishes this by providing the knowledge and tools the industry needs to make significant improvements in three core areas: fibre and materials, integrity and standards, and supply chain.

Textile Exchange has developed and maintains a number of important industry standards, including the Responsible Down Standard, the Organic Content Standard, the Recycled Claim Standard and the Global Recycled Standard. It is headquartered in the United States with staff and ambassadors located in ten countries.  

www.textileexchange.org