Responsible Wool Standard
STANDARDS MENU
What is the RWS?
The Responsible Wool Standard is a voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on.
Our goals
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 and respect the Five Freedoms of animal welfare.
How does the RWS work?
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. Usually the last stage to be certified is the garment manufacturer or brand. Retailers (business-to-consumers) are not required to be certified. Farms are certified to the Animal Welfare and Land Management and Social Modules of the RWS. Subsequent stages of the supply chain are certified to the Content Claim Standard requirements. If you wish to be certified to the RWS, you can contact one of the listed Certification Bodies.
Find RWS
Find the full list of Certified Suppliers here or browse some of our featured supplier profiles below.
Farm
Top Maker
Spinner
Fabric Mill
Garment Maker
Brand / Retailer
Tools and support
In this section you will find templates for plans and records required by the RWS and other tools and resources to help with the process of implementing the RWS. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, please contact us directly.
RWS Documents
- Animal Welfare
- Nutrition
- Animal Management
- Inspection Frequency Guidance
- Pain Relief Guidance
- Lameness Scoring Guidance
- Euthanasia and On-Farm Slaughter Guidance
- Castration Standard Operating Procedure
- Tail Docking Standard Operating Procedures
- Flock Health and Welfare Plan Template
- Treatment and Vaccination Record Template
- Injury Report Template
- Euthanasia Plan Template
- Handling and Transport
- Management Plans and Procedures
- Land Management
- Soil
- Biodiversity and Water
In this section you will find templates for plans and records required by the RWS and other tools and resources to help with the process of implementing the RWS. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, please contact us directly.
RWS Documents
View the recordings by clicking the links below.
Part 1 – Commitments & Targets, April 12, 2018
Part 2 – Labeling & Product Claims, April 19, 2018
Part 3 – Working with the RWS Supply Chain, April 26, 2018
Part 4 – Supply Chain Certification & Post Production Options, May 3, 2018
In this section you will find templates for plans and records required by the RWS and other tools and resources to help with the process of implementing the RWS. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, please contact us directly.
RWS Documents
View the recordings by clicking the links below.
Part 1 – Commitments & Targets, April 12, 2018
Part 2 – Labeling & Product Claims, April 19, 2018
Part 3 – Working with the RWS Supply Chain, April 26, 2018
Part 4 – Supply Chain Certification & Post Production Options, May 3, 2018
Want to learn more?
We welcome you to get in touch with any questions you may have about the RWS, or if you would like to learn more about the RWS Roundtable and how to get involved. Documents related to the revision are available upon request.
Ready to get started?
Find a certification body (CB) in your area. Download a list of CBs who are licensed by Textile Exchange to certify to the given scopes of RWS.