Wool is a fantastic renewable material. It naturally resists smelly microbes and regulates temperature. It’s repeatedly renewable, but like any natural resource, it’s only sustainable if it’s managed in a way that looks after the animals and the land. Kathmandu was part of the collaborative industry group that developed the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and is now part of the group developing the unified Materials Matter Standard.
Shop Wool
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) was launched in June 2016 as an independent, voluntary standard. From farm and right through production, certification ensures that wool for certified farms is properly identified and tracked. The RWS working group spent time researching existing animal welfare and land management standards to come up with a standard for best practices for the industry.
The standard has two key areas:
- Protecting animal welfare means that the Five Freedoms of sheep are protected at all times.
- Preserving land health means using progressive land management methods to protect soil health, biodiversity and native species.
The RWS prohibits the practice of mulesing, which involves removing strips of skin from a sheep’s rear. Mulesing has been a common practice in Australia but has been phased out in New Zealand.
The RWS is not just about looking at standards and adopting them. It’s about working to develop them for the whole industry and combining quantities so it becomes economical for the whole supply chain. This opens up opportunities for other brands to be a part of it. Your support of products bearing RWS certification helps the industry shift towards a more sustainable future.
