RESPONSIBLE WOOL
For our knitwear, we rely on the following certifications for our yarns: Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). These are all industry standards developed by Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that works to make sure the materials used are produced in a way that supports the planet, its ecosystems and communities.
The certification system is relatively new (RWS was launched in 2016, RMS in 2020 and RAS in 2021), and is still developing. Sometimes suppliers also run out of certified wool, and demand hopefully encourages more producers to get certified. As with all certifications, the system is not perfect. We still believe these kinds of initiatives are important to push the industry forward.
Responsible wool is wool produced in a way that:
The standards have requirements regarding nutrition, living environment, animal management, handling and transport. For instance, it is a critical requirement in the RWS that sheep shall have access to natural pasture at all times, and mulesing is prohibited. |
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The standards have requirements regarding soil health, biodiversity, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Challenges can include overgrazing and soil erosion, if the carrying capacity of the land is not respected. |
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The standards have requirements regarding human rights, child labour, working conditions and conduct, freedom of association and collective bargaining, wages and benefits, and health and safety. |
