Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
The purpose of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is to provide the industry with the best possible tool for verifying good practices — to ensure that the wool comes from farms with a progressive and responsible approach to animal welfare, land management, and social responsibility.
The certificate establishes a reliable system for monitoring the transparency of the raw material — from the farm to the final product — so that consumers can be confident about the origin of the wool in the products they choose.
RWS at the Farm Level
The RWS certificate primarily refers to animal welfare, including controlled land quality, humane shearing, and protection of the natural environment and farm workers.
Animal husbandry must be based on the Five Freedoms principle, which ensures that animals live free from:
- hunger,
- thirst,
- pain,
- fear,
- and discomfort.
Animals must also be able to express their natural behaviour.
Mulesing is strictly prohibited.
Land management on which sheep are grazed must be based on the protection of biodiversity.
The standard also covers working conditions, including the health and safety of farm workers.
Starting from the farms, each subsequent stage in the supply chain is audited by independent certification bodies.
To obtain certification as a company producing hats, accessories, and clothing made from merino wool, we undergo regular audits during which we must demonstrate that each of our subcontractors complies with the procedures ensuring transparency in the flow of raw materials.
This means maintaining a transparent and traceable process, including detailed monitoring of yarn quantities, finished products, and post-production waste. All these measures are taken to prove that we do not commit any irregularities and that we do not sell more certified products than we are able to produce based on certified resources.
If you are interested in creating your own collection of certified products, please contact us. We help brands achieve RWS certification and build collections that reflect responsible fashion values.