As someone who is sourcing wool, you will not want to pay for or be a part of cruelty towards animals that bear this wool. For your absolute peace of mind, there is the RWS certification. But what exactly is RWS Certified wool? Keep reading to find out!
RWS Wool, essentially short for Responsible Wool Standard, is a certificate for the ethical sourcing of wool, primarily to address the welfare of the wool-bearing animals. One of its primary objectives is to ensure the wool comes from farms with responsible land management and to holistic respect for the animal welfare of the sheep. The RWS requires all sites, from farms through the final business-to-business seller, to be certified.
This standard is not for the general public, but for the industry players, who are part of this supply chain. RWS incorporates the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. The Five Freedoms have become internationally accepted standards of humane animal treatment:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
RWS Prohibits Mulesing in Sheep
Mulesing is a cruel practice that involves sheep, especially merino wool-producing sheep, having skin folds around the tail area that can become moist and attract blowflies. The flies lay eggs that hatch into maggots, which feed on the sheep’s flesh, causing flystrike. Flystrike, if not treated, can kill the sheep. Mulesing typically takes place when lambs are between 2-10 weeks old.
As much as no one wants sheep to suffer from flystrike, a painful and risky procedure like mulesing is not a humane solution. RWS completely prohibits this practice. Flystrike can be prevented through other solutions like regular crutching, improved farm hygiene, and genetic selection for sheep with fewer skin folds.
Other Aspects of RWS Certification
Other than prohibiting mulesing in sheep, RWS also takes care of the following aspects:
- Fair Working Conditions
- Land Health
- Traceability
- Social Responsibility
- Supply Chain Transparency
To summarise, the RWS certification ensures far more than animal welfare, it protects the wellbeing of farmers, protects consumers, and contributes positively to society. While the certification is voluntary, holding it reinforces Kochartex’s commitment to ethical sourcing, responsible production, and complete transparency.
From the very first step of ensuring ethically sourced wool to maintaining traceability across every stage of the supply chain, RWS stands as proof of responsible practices end-to-end.
What is the Need for RWS Certified Wool?
Wool is naturally circular. This means it is biodegradable, renewable and recyclable. It is a sustainable choice. By choosing a sustainable fabric, you are making a responsible choice; however, that is not enough. Natural fibres should not cause any harm to the animals. Animal welfare is a serious concern when it comes to wool supply and cannot be neglected. Especially in wool production, there are more chances of animals being harmed and treated without respect. This is why we need the Responsible Wool Standard, by which we are only supporting farms that treat their animals well.
At Kochartex, we are committed to responsible manufacturing, ethical sourcing, and constant innovation. Three key principles that drive operations at Kochartex are:
Whether you’re sourcing eco-conscious wool, recycled fibres, or versatile technical blends, Kochartex ensures consistency, traceability, and a partnership you can rely on. Kochartex is a one-stop when looking to source sustainable fabric from India.
Recycled wool is one of the clearest examples of Kochartex’s determination to sustainability. Fibres that have been discarded, pre-consumer scraps and post-consumer wool garments are repurposed into premium-quality yarns. This not only minimises waste but also reduces water and energy consumption compared to virgin production on a large scale.
Products Commonly Made with RWS Certified Wool
RWS-certified wool is widely used across the textile industry. It is because of its traits like ethical sourcing, fibre consistency, and strong supply-chain traceability. It allows manufacturers and global buyers to create a broad range of premium, high-performance products.
At Kochartex, RWS wool is used to make products across multiple categories to meet both quality and sustainability expectations.
- Home textiles (blankets, throws, upholstery fabrics)
- Apparel and fashion garments (sweaters, suits, outerwear)
- Performance and technical textiles (outdoor wear, insulation layers)
Conclusion
RWS certified wool offers global buyers a way to source wool that is ethical, traceable, and environmentally responsible. This ensures high standards of animal welfare and sustainable land management. RWS provides complete transparency across the supply chain.
For manufacturers and brands, choosing RWS wool is not just a decision; it’s a commitment to quality and ethical sourcing. As the demand for responsible textiles continues to grow, RWS certified wool stands out as a trusted fibre that supports both product excellence and sustainability goals.
At Kochartex, working with RWS certified wool reflects our commitment to responsible sourcing and transparent manufacturing. By choosing RWS-approved fibres, we ensure our buyers receive wool that meets the highest standards of ethics, quality, and sustainability.
FAQs
Q1. What does RWS Certified Wool mean?
RWS Certified Wool means the wool has been sourced responsibly. Where sheep are treated well, the land is cared for, and every step of the journey is transparent. It assures buyers that the wool comes from farms that follow strict ethical and environmental standards.
Q2. Is mulesing allowed under the Responsible Wool Standard?
No. RWS completely prohibits mulesing.
Q3. Why should brands and manufacturers choose RWS Certified Wool?
Because it builds trust. RWS wool shows customers that a brand cares about animal welfare, the planet, and honest sourcing. It reduces ethical concerns, supports sustainability goals, and adds credibility to any product made from it.