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Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

Be an environmentally and animal welfare conscious brand with responsible wool sourcing. Ensure transparency and traceability in your supply chain with RWS certification.

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What is the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)?

The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is an international voluntary certification standard that aims to ensure the welfare of sheep and the sustainability of the land they graze on. Developed by Textile Exchange, it provides verification of ethical practices in animal welfare and land use in wool production.

By auditing farm-level practices, RWS allows brands to make credible claims about their wool supply chain and offers full traceability across the supply chain.

Objectives of the RWS

RWS certification offers many advantages for businesses that prioritize sustainability and animal welfare in wool production

Ensuring Animal Welfare

To guarantee that sheep are raised in ethical and humane conditions.

Promoting Sustainable Land Management

Support practices that protect soil health, biodiversity and native species.

Promoting Social Welfare

Validate basic social welfare criteria on farms.

Ensuring Supply Chain Traceability

Enabling transparent tracking of wool from the farm to the final product.

Market Opportunities

It provides a competitive advantage by appealing to consumers seeking sustainability.

Ease of Export

It meets the demand for products with sustainable certifications in the international market.

Transparency

Provides full traceability in the wool supply chain.

Who Should Obtain the RWS Certificate?

RWS certification is suitable for businesses that care about sustainability and animal welfare in wool production. Farms that produce ethical and sustainable wool, textile mills that comply with traceability standards by producing wool yarn and fabric, fashion brands that use responsible and sustainable wool in their products, retailers that sell RWS certified products and supply chain managers who want to ensure transparency and traceability in the wool supply chain can benefit from this certification. Being RWS certified not only promotes ethical and sustainable production, but also puts your brand in a strong position in the market.

Get One Step Ahead in Sustainable Wool Production

Start your Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certification process with USB Certification and strengthen your brand with responsible wool sourcing.

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Scope of the RWS Standard

The RWS standard covers all stages of the wool supply chain and includes the following elements

Farms

Areas where sheep are raised.

Wool Processing Plants

Facilities where wool is processed and cleaned

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of textiles and clothing containing RWS certified wool.

Retailers

Stores selling RWS certified products.

*Note: The RWS standard covers all stages from farm to end product. USB Certification provides Chain of Custody certification at the processing, production and trade (Supply Chain) stages of this chain.

RWS Certification Process

The following steps are followed to obtain an RWS certificate

  • 1
    Application

    Application is made to an accredited certification body.

  • 2
    Audit

    The certification body inspects farms and wool processing plants.

  • 3
    Reporting

    The results of the audit are evaluated and a report is prepared.

  • 4
    Certification

    Companies that meet the RWS criteria are awarded a certificate.

  • 5
    Continuous Monitoring

    Annual audits are conducted to maintain the validity of the certificate.

RWS

Documents

Responsible Wool Standart
ViewDownload
Responsible Wool Standard User Manual
ViewDownload

Frequently Asked Questions

RWS certification ensures traceability at every stage of the supply chain using CCS (Content Claim Standard) certification. This makes it possible to trace RWS certified wool back to its origin and throughout the production process. USB Certification can help you to make your supply chain transparent.

The RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) is a voluntary standard that promotes animal welfare and environmental sustainability in wool production. Its aim is to promote ethical practices in wool production processes, ensure that animals are raised in humane conditions, improve land use, protect workers’ social rights and increase transparency in the wool supply chain. For more information, please contact USB Certification.

*Note: USB Certification only provides Chain of Custody certification at the processing, production and trade stages of the supply chain under the RWS standard.

The RWS certification is suitable for all sectors that care about sustainability and animal welfare in wool production. Wool producers, textile manufacturers, fashion brands, retailers and supply chain managers should obtain this certification. Benefits include ensuring animal welfare, environmental sustainability, increasing consumer confidence and creating market opportunities.

To obtain RWS certification, you apply to an accredited certification body, go through an audit process, report and, if deemed appropriate, receive a certificate. Get in touch to learn more about the process.

The RWS standard includes land management criteria such as maintaining soil health, protecting biodiversity and water resources, and managing fertilizer and pesticide use. Work with us to manage your land in accordance with RWS standards.

Yes, mulesing is strictly prohibited in the RWS standard. This practice is not accepted by RWS as it is against animal welfare. Learn more about RWS prohibited practices.

The farm module of the RWS standard mandates the following criteria (USB Certification does not monitor the implementation of these criteria at the farm level, but the tracking of wool produced in accordance with these criteria. The RWS standard includes adequate nutrition, proper housing, protection from disease, minimization of painful practices, reduction of stress during transport and the use of humane slaughter methods. Learn more about the RWS animal welfare criteria.

In the RWS standard, methods such as ear tagging and tattooing are acceptable for animal identification. However, methods that cause pain to animals, such as hot branding, are prohibited. For more information on animal identification methods, contact USB Certification.