SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme has new owners
There will now be a single, independently owned and operated sustainability program open to all wool producers and end-users.
IN AN increasingly sustainability-conscious market, the Australian Wool Exchange has taken ownership of the SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme.
It means there will now be a single, independently owned and operated sustainability program open to all wool producers and end-users.
New England Wool and Italian fabric makers Successori Reda and Vitale Barberis Canonico have transferred ownership of the SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme to AWEX.
The scheme was launched in 2015 in response to demand from consumers and retailers, with more than 950 farms now accredited.
In a landmark decision to expand the scheme to all professional wool producers in Australia, the owners, developers and managers of the scheme signed a memorandum of understanding in May this year to relinquish 100 per cent ownership to AWEX.
“At a special board meeting late last week, we unanimously agreed to complete the transfer of SustainaWOOL, in time for the start of the 2019-20 wool selling season,” AWEX chief executive Mark Grave said.
“As an independent industry-owned and operated program, AWEX now has the opportunity to make SustainaWOOL available to all wool users,” Mr Grave said.
Globally, customers of wool are demanding evidence of sustainability through independent and credible integrity programs.
SustainaWOOL has become a strong foundation for Australian wool producers to promote their product to the world and gain access to premium markets.
Mr Grave said the textile market was very competitive and they were aware of the importance of getting the transition right.
New England Wool managing director Andrew Blanch said: “We want to share the opportunities in the scheme with all wool producers and users around the world to help us work and grow together in an increasingly competitive and sustainability conscious landscape.”