Updated: Dec 2020
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is an international, voluntary standard that addresses animal welfare in sheep farms and chain of custody of wool from certified farms to the final product. The goals of the Responsible Wool Standard are to provide the industry with a tool to recognize the best practices of farmers; ensuring that wool comes from farms that have a progressive approach to managing their land, practice holistic respect for animal welfare of the sheep.
The RWS requires all sites to be certified, beginning with the wool farmers and through to the seller in the final business to business transaction. Individual sites are certified by independent third-party certification bodies using annual audits. Usually the last stage to be certified is the garment manufacturer or brand. Farms are certified to the Animal Welfare and Land Management and Social Modules of the RWS.
Read more: Responsible Wool Standard
Create an industry benchmark that will drive improvements in animal care
Recognize the best practices of animal welfare in sheep farms
Provide a robust chain of custody system from farm to final product
Drive stakeholder engagement through feedback from textile value chain partners
Tool to verify the ethically grown wool content of the products