Textile Exchange has received commitments from various apparel brands to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which is a voluntary global standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and of the land they graze on. RWS has been pilot audited, calibrated and applied to wool growing farms of different sizes, geographic regions and countries.

In all fifteen apparel have committed to following RWS including H&M, Marks & Spencer, William-Sonoma, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, REI, Eileen Fisher, Tchibo, Varner, Vaude, Coyuchi, Mountain Equipment, Deckers, Kathmandu and Knowledge Cotton Apparel.

Ten additional companies have expressed support of the standard and are working toward implementation, which include, LL Bean, Arc’teryx, Indigenous Designs, Nau, Point6 and Prana.

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organisation that works closely with all sectors of the textile supply chain to find the best ways to minimise and even reverse the negative impacts on people, air, water, animals and soil created by the $1.7 trillion industry.