What are the proven benefits of the Responsible Wool Standard certification, and what does it mean for bag manufacturers? Standing out in bag manufacturing often involves utilizing unexpected materials. Wool serves as an excellent example of this. This timeless fabric, while popular for apparel and cold-weather accessories, offers an incredible opportunity to give bags a unique touch.
A wool bag will automatically have a texture that captures market attention, but that alone might not be enough today. Enhancing designs with relevant certification is advisable to appeal to retail buyers and consumers concerned with social and environmental responsibility.
The Responsible Wool Standard, or RWS for short, is what you’ll want to look for. This globally renowned certification is a hallmark of ethical sourcing and sustainable manufacturing, giving your wool bags a competitive edge. Read on to continue learning about the significance and benefits of RWS certification.
Overview of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
The Responsible Wool Standard is a leading wool certification that strives to improve sheep welfare and land management practices. Suppose a garment or accessory comes with an RWS label. The wool used in the product comes from a farm that adheres to progressive responsibility standards.
Sheep farmers, manufacturers, distributors, or brands working with wool can obtain the certification. Applicable to all wool textiles and accessories, provided they only contain RWS-certified wool, not mixed with non-RWS wool.
With its impressive roster of global fashion groups and brands like Kering, H&M, Patagonia, and Prana, RWS has become one of the industry’s most respected animal welfare certification programs.
RWS Standards and Requirements
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) Certification is a textile certification that doubles as a guideline for farming best practices, from highlighting animal welfare standards to promoting conservation efforts. It is continually evaluated with the input of farmers, animal welfare and land conservation experts, and fashion brands and retailers across the globe. The certification incentivizes producers to meet its requirements to create a better industry.
To achieve RWS certification, farms or manufacturers must inspect all sites in their supply chain, from the initial farm to the final supplier. Inspectors evaluate the following metrics:
Animal Welfare
RWS incorporates the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. Created by the Farm Animal Welfare Council of Britain in 1965, 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 behavior
- Freedom from fear and distress
Regarding sheep welfare, abiding by the Five Freedoms means that sheep farms should engage in responsible and ethical breeding and non-abusive shearing practices and adhere to the Responsible Wool Standard Certification. This certification ensures that farms follow high welfare standards. One is the prohibition of mulesing, a painful process that involves cutting off pieces of flesh from a sheep’s hindquarters to avoid flystrike, where flies lay eggs in a sheep’s skin folds. By adhering to these standards, sheep are kept in a safe environment and managed to promote good health and comfort, aligning with the principles of responsible and ethical animal care.
Land Health
RWS encourages progressive land management methods to protect soil health and promote biodiversity. Farmers should have a good knowledge of their land and its biodiversity levels and continually evaluate ways to improve it. This includes implementing regenerative grazing and using minimal pesticides and fertilizers so the land is not negatively impacted.
Social Welfare
The RWS also considers human welfare, ensuring farm workers’ health and safety and mandating farmers adopt ethical hiring practices. This means:
- Providing a workplace free from discrimination and abuse
- Prohibition of forced labor
- Ban on exploitative child labor: children of farmers can learn traditional practices as long as it doesn’t interfere with their schooling, and they are not forced to engage in any dangerous activities
- Workers are given a fair wage and appropriate levels of rest and leave.
- Workers have rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The Benefits and Significance of RWS Certification
RWS certification is a recognizable marker of ethical sourcing, as it promotes a more sustainable and environmentally friendly supply chain. It creates a more positive perception of your brand, which can open more doors in a market increasingly concerned with social and ethical responsibility.
As a bag manufacturer, obtaining RWS certification showcases your commitment to animal welfare and reducing environmental impact on potential buyers and stakeholders. It fosters stronger trust, helping your business maintain and expand its customer base while aligning with the growing consumer demand for responsibly sourced products.
The RWS Certification Process
Wool manufacturers interested in obtaining RWS certification must follow these steps:
- Application
To apply for RWS certification, complete the application online or fill out a paper form and send it to an accredited third-party certification body. Once your application is accepted, ensure you sign a copy of your quote along with the rules of the third-party company.
- Preparation
Prepare for your in-person audit by reading the Standard and Implementation manual, reviewing your document checklist, and inspection report.
- On-Site Audit
An accredited third-party auditor will arrive at your facility to conduct the official audit. They will start with an opening meeting to discuss procedures before undergoing their audit. After a thorough site inspection, they will prepare their Audit Report and discuss its findings and any non-conformities during a closing meeting.
Once the auditor has taken action against non-conformities, they can issue a Scope Certificate.
- Certification
Manufacturers can submit a Labeling Release form to their auditors to add the RWS label to their products. Any product that meets the RWS certification requirements can carry the official label. Manufacturers can also request a Transaction Certificate and supporting documents for internal certification.
RWS regularly reassesses and audits farms and manufacturers annually to ensure they maintain standards.
The Industry Relevance of RWS Certification
The textile and fashion industries widely recognize RWS certification, greatly benefiting entry into certain markets. For instance, many brands in the European Union and North America prioritize sourcing from suppliers with RWS certification to ensure compliance with animal welfare and environmental standards.
Choosing the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certification can provide a strategic advantage for wool bag manufacturers. RWS focuses on the welfare of sheep and sustainable farming practices, assuring customers and stakeholders of ethical wool production. In contrast, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification applies to a broader range of textiles, emphasizing organic materials and production processes. Therefore, RWS is specifically tailored for demonstrating ethical wool production standards, making it a suitable choice for wool bag manufacturers seeking to enhance market access and appeal.
Conclusion
If you’re a bag manufacturer looking to establish your commitment to ethical practices and healthy land management. Obtaining RWS certification is a valuable step. This certification is a reputation booster and helps improve farming practices. Strengthen customer confidence, and contribute to a more transparent industry. Whether you’re experimenting with wool in your textile assortment or have already made a name for yourself in this bag niche. Adding RWS certification will make your designs feel even more special.