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SFA Cashmere Conference Summary | Biella, Italy

Posted by Fiona Jones

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) hosted a conference in Biella, Italy on February 2-3. The event welcomed over 70 guests from around the world, representing all stages of the cashmere supply chain, including herding cooperative leaders from Mongolia, cashmere processors, manufacturers, brands and retailers. In partnership with Natural Fibre Connect, the Schneider Group, The Cashmere & Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI), and LVMH, the conference featured 14 talks from experts across the industry, a workshop focused on exploring solutions to sustainability challenges facing cashmere herders and the wider sector, as well as a factory tour to 3-key manufacturing sites in the area.

A Rare Opportunity for Mongolian Guests

The SFA Biella Cashmere Conference was the first of its kind conducted in Europe to include representatives from all phases of cashmere production, from raw cashmere to final products. For some of the guests – particularly those arriving from Mongolia – this was their first time in Europe, and a rare opportunity for them to meet directly with the companies and organisations further up the supply chain.

The Mongolian Embassy of Italy offered support for the event and took the opportunity to meet with visiting brands and producers. Una Jones, CEO of SFA: “We want to thank the Embassy of Mongolia, especially the 1st Secretary, Mrs. Delgerjargal Ganbold, and Honorary Consul Paolo Bonete, for their professional and valuable support to make this experience special for our Mongolian guests.” The delegates emphasized the importance of the visit of Mongolian national industries and cooperatives to Italy for the expansion of Mongolian cashmere exports to the European market. Giovanni Schneider, CEO of the Schneider Group, stated that he will be working towards enhancing the ability of Mongolian herders to compete on the market with other livestock products, as well as introducing and enforcing relevant standards to help build sustainable systems.

Ariunaa, director of Goyol Kashmer Co., Ltd., extended a warm welcome to representatives of major Mongolian cashmere processing companies. She stated, “The objective for the sustainable growth of Mongolia’s cashmere sector is to introduce the world to the superiority of sustainable cashmere processing and production. We, the manufacturer, are pleased that the SFA team is committed to socially responsible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable manufacturing within the context of this objective. We want all manufacturers to participate in this initiative.”

During the roundtable discussions on day one of the conference, a business meeting was hosted by the visiting Mongolian companies to discuss joint solutions to supply chain issues as well as opportunities to expand and scale up partnerships and cooperation between the beginning and end stages of the supply chain. Mongolian herders also were able to address the audience of nearly 70 industry and brand directors and management level guests to share their perspectives on key challenges and the needs of their producer communities. The meeting was an important step in increasing the export of Mongolian cashmere as primary and final finished products to the international market.

Series of Talks on Sustainability

Ms. Narantsetseg, the head of Yav Bulag Herder Cooperative in Khentii Province, Umnudelger soum, shared a presentation on the “Trends of Herder Cooperatives” that outlined key rangeland issues such as environmental impact risks, and how the SFA Cashmere Standard Certification process is / can address these issues.  

Chris Gaffney, CEO of Johnstons of Elgin, shared the perspectives of a leading Scottish brand and the shifting mindsets of its consumer base when it comes to sustainability. He concluded by addressing the herders directly: “Our communities are only here because your communities do all the work to produce this miracle product.”

Mongolian processors also had the chance to address the audience, sharing their concerns about climate change and the impact this is having on cashmere herders. They emphasized the importance of mitigating these risks in order to protect the quality of fibre moving up the chain, as well as the longevity of the producer system. They presented possible solutions for supplementing livestock feed in the winter, protecting the diversity of goat genetics, and for diversifying herder income. They also called for increased investment in Mongolian processors, particularly in spinning factories, in order to increase capacity and meet market demand.

Textile Exchange and the SFA shared on update on the new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) project taking place, which aims to fill an important information gap of the impact of cashmere on the land and on livelihoods. Cashmere is one of the harder LCAs to undertake due to the varied landscapes and traditional communities it is produced in. Cashmere from Afghanistan, China and Mongolia are produced in very different ways, with landscapes ranging from desert, mountain steppe, grassland, and farm-based environments. Data collection for the LCA project will conclude in Q1 or Q2 of 2024 and provide a solid foundation for developing accurate impact reporting in the future. Six provinces in Mongolia and six provinces in China will be assessed and included in the report.

Workshop

After the talks were concluded, guests were invited to break-out into tables of 6-10 to discuss supply chain challenges and opportunities currently faced at the herder, processor, manufacturer and brand levels. The main challenges identified at herder level included climate change, pasture degradation, fluctuations in market price, supply shortages, and animal disease. Opportunities to address these challenges included identifying and supporting diverse income sources for herders that might include other rangeland products, implementing programmes to protect pure goat fibre and livestock genetics, ensure herders are connected to the rest of the supply chain and that there is sufficient transparency around their work and impacts, and to incorporate requirements and guidance on carrying capacity into the SFA Cashmere Standard certification.

Challenges at the processor and manufacturing level of the cashmere supply chain included a lack of transparency due to long and complex supply chains, low margins for profit, competition from companies producing cheaper products, labour skills shortage, as well as auditing cost and capacity. To combat these challenges, the groups identified various opportunities including creating a global consensus on fibre quality thresholds, low interest rate loans for processors, encouraging green financing investment into cashmere processing, and tightening up the length of the supply chain in order to improve transparency.

Brands also faced a variety of challenges unique to them. These included democratisation – which was seen as both a positive and negative impact on their operations, faltering perceptions of cashmere due to lobbying groups against natural fibres, lack of consumer education about the benefits of natural fibres, and access to reliable and accurate information on cashmere impact (LCA’s). Solutions for these challenges included the funding of Life Cycle Assessment projects to provide the industry with cashmere impact data that can be shared with consumers, receiving precise ingredient information of chemicals used in cashmere processing, developing an easier way to communicate what certification is and how it works for the benefit of their consumers, and finally the possibility of the SFA becoming recognised in EU Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

At the closing of the talks, Fabio Garzena, president of CCMI provided closing remarks, “Many things have changed for the textile industry over the years, especially for cashmere and other natural fibres. Technology, better organisation, new innovations have all improved the productivity and quality of the these product systems… Today, our biggest challenge is for the cashmere industry to keep up with the rapidly evolving market landscape and demands in order to arrive at a more sustainable and transparent supply chain… I think it is clear to everyone that all players in the supply chain have a responsibility to accept the burden of added complexity and costs in order to protect the long-term viability of our industry. We need to be ready to adapt to a system that is under development, and support ongoing modifications and improvements that are needed… We are all connected, each stage of the supply chain being dependent on the rest. But we also have to be fair with how our common challenges impact each stage with different weight and protect those who experience the biggest impact: herders.”

Factory Tour

On the last day of the conference, guests disembarked on a three site factory tour. For some, it was their first exposure to the cashmere manufacturing process. Guests first visited the Pettinatura Di Verrone facility, followed by a visit to Loro Piana, the world’s largest manufacturer of textiles, where they saw the Quarona Showroom, spinning plant, lab, and finally the weaving and finishing plant.

The tour marked the end of the conference, and guests were encouraged to stay tuned on SFA communications channels for updates on the next event of the year – the Natural Fibre Connect annual conference in September. Following the success of the Biella conference, and the unique opportunities it offered in connecting the entire cashmere supply chain, it was proposed that the meeting become a global tradition and grow to include even more participation from cashmere herders.

SFA Cashmere Conference | Biella, Italy

Posted by Fiona Jones

2022 Highlights

Posted by Fiona Jones

It has been a busy and productive year for the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), and we are excited to share some of our main highlights with you.

First and foremost, we are pleased to report that we now have 59 members from 11 countries, not including producer groups. In 2022, we made intensive efforts to build capacity for a sustainable cashmere industry at all levels, including training on standard requirements, leadership training, strengthening cooperative management, business management training, and helping channel herder-led policy recommendations to the Mongolian government.

One of the biggest undertakings of the year was the restructuring of our standard system, which involved integrating our three herder level codes of practice into a single, overreaching global standard based on 5 principles for sustainable cashmere. This has helped to create a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to sustainability within the cashmere industry.

As of the end of the year, we have certified 93 herder organizations in Mongolia, covering over 10,000 herder households, as well as 15,000 farms in China. This accounts for over 6 million goats and 720 tonnes of certified raw fibre from Mongolia and 3,234 tonnes of certified raw fibre from China.

There were many other highlights from the year, including the separation of our assurance and certification arm, NEXUS Connect, from the SFA and its establishment as a new, independent organization. We also formed new partnerships with organizations like Natural Fibre Connect, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the University of Milan, and more. In addition, we partnered with Khan Bank to offer preferential green loans to certified herders, with 37 cooperatives being selected for green funding. This helps to reduce the burden of high interest rates and debt in herder communities.

The SFA co-founded the new Natural Fibre Connect conference and platform alongside the International Alpaca Association, Mohair South Africa, and Wool Connect. The first conference was held in September and welcomed 1,000 guests from 43 different countries and had an additional 10,000+ Mongolian herders tune in to the live stream. We had 80 speakers discussing 9 main themes and nearly 40 different workshops and demonstrations.

Finally, we have been involved in a number of research projects this year with partner organisations, including the world’s first Life Cycle Assessment of cashmere, a project promoting dryland sustainable landscapes and biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia, and a project looking at the role of supplementary feed in winter risk mitigation in Mongolia.

As we look back on the year, we are proud of the progress we have made and are excited for the opportunities and challenges ahead. We hope you have a happy holiday season and look forward to continuing to work towards a more sustainable future for cashmere in the new year.

Women Empowerment Programme for Herders in Mongolia

Posted by Fiona Jones

Women Empowerment Programme for Herders in Mongolia

J.Crew and the SFA support nomadic female herders through a series of workshops designed to elevate them to leadership positions and give them tools for success

LONDON, UK – JUNE 8, 2021 – The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) is proud to announce the successful launch of its Women Empowerment Programme in Mongolia, supported by J.Crew. The SFA, is a non-profit organisation which works to promote a globally recognised sustainability standard for cashmere. Founded by two Mongolian women and with more than six years of working with the extended cashmere supply chain – from herders to retailers, the SFA recognises that women herders in Mongolia, despite having the potential to bring tremendous value to the cashmere supply chain, are hugely underrepresented within decision-making roles in their communities. The women empowerment programme has therefore been established in partnership with J.Crew to help lift these women towards leadership roles.

The programme involves a series of training workshops which target various issues within the industry – from better codes of practice when harvesting and sorting cashmere, to the importance of cooperation between supply chain stakeholders. Through gaining understanding of what the cashmere sector is looking for, the herders add value to their cashmere and strengthen relations with buyers, thereby securing their future income. The aim of the workshops is to ensure that women herders have the knowledge and skills that will help improve their social and economic participation within the cashmere sector and enable them to contribute to decision-making in their community.

Despite the early challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions, virtual and in-person meetings have achieved high attendance and positive feedback from both instructors and participants. Fifteen instructors have carried out workshops for nearly 700 women from 31 herder cooperatives across Mongolia. The value of the course has been recognised at the national level and participants will be receiving  a certificate from a vocational body – the Technical Vocational Education.

Participant Narantuya Gendensuren, a member of ‘Yavyn Bulag’ cooperative, Khentii province, commented on the workshops, “I have gained a better understanding of cashmere preparation and I believe we will be better able to enter the world market if we produce cashmere according to these standards.”

“J.Crew is committed to be a part of the Sustainable Fibre Alliance and continue to empower women herders in Mongolia by improving their economic and social standing,” says Lisa Greenwald, Chief Merchandising Officer of J.Crew. “We know that investing in women leads to benefits for their families and communities. This program will give over 1000 women herders access to programs to help grow their individual businesses and take important leadership positions in their communities. We are proud to be partnering with the SFA on this important work and are committed to continuing to protect the future of women herders and the cashmere industry.”

Batkhishig Baival, Country Director of SFA Mongolia comments on the mission of the programme, “I am very confident that it is possible to improve the quality of cashmere harvesting and post-harvest management in a shorter period of time through educating and empowering rural women. Mongolian women herders play key roles in their communities, so we are expecting positive changes in herder life and hope that they will be able to share and demonstrate what they have learned during this training with others. To develop the competence-based training curriculum, we are collaborating with the government vocational education institute and national training professionals to make this programme targeted and regionally-appropriate”.

About The Sustainable Fibre Alliance

Founded in 2015, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance is a global multi-stakeholder initiative with a mission to ensure the long-term viability of the cashmere sector through its SFA Cashmere Standard. In Mongolia the SFA works with nomadic herders to produce cashmere in a way that protects biodiversity and ensures the wellbeing of their animals. The expansion into the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia in China, marks the world’s first global cashmere standard. For more information, visit https://sustainablefibre.org/

For press inquiries, contact Sarah Krueger: sarah.krueger@sustainablefibre.org

About J.Crew

J.Crew Group is an internationally recognized omnichannel retailer of women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel, shoes, and accessories. As of May 27, 2021, the Company operates 151 J.Crew retail stores, 144 Madewell stores, and 147 J.Crew Factory stores in nearly every state in the United States, and also maintains J.Crew, Madewell, and J.Crew Factory websites.

For more information visit jcrew.com, madewell.com and jcrewfactory.com.

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The Unsung Hero of Mongolia and Your Winter Wardrobe

Posted by Fiona Jones

What makes cashmere a luxury fibre and why it’s important to protect its supply chain

Despite its luxury status throughout the centuries and its consistently high price tag, the past few decades have begun to see a dramatic change in the availability and affordability of cashmere fibre.  What was once a statement of high-end fashion now can be found at nearly any price range, showing up in fast fashion retailers and online shops for sometimes less than £50. Why has this happened, and what does it mean for the future of cashmere? To understand the impact that falling prices and mass production has had on the cashmere supply chain, the environment, and peoples’ livelihoods, it is first important to understand what cashmere is, where it comes from and what makes it such a sought-after fibre.

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Coveted by royalty and the upper-class

Cashmere has triumphed its way through history as the world’s most luxury fibre, having been prized by royalty, popularized by Napoleon, and made available to consumers by the finest fashion brands of the times. The material’s biggest emergence in Europe occurred in the late 18th century when it became coveted by upper-class women in Britain and France (The Independent). Not long after, in the 19th century, Beu Brummel, arbiter of men’s fashion and iconic gentleman of England, made white cashmere waist coats a popular garment for sophisticated gentlemens’ style (The New Yorker). As time went on, cashmere remained a fashion staple for both men and women but gradually evolved from use in shawls and waistcoats to jumpers, cardigans, and other knitted garments. This shift happened largely during the knitwear revolution in the mid-twentieth century and especially in the 80’s when fashion designers like Shirin Guild began using cashmere alongside sheep’s wool to make dresses, suits and other clothing items (The Independent).

What is cashmere, exactly?

Cashmere is a type of wool that comes from the downy undercoats of cashmere goats and is distinct from the goats’ course, outer layer of hair – or ‘guard hair’. While many goats grow this undercoat, some have been selectively bred for cashmere production. The quality and yield of cashmere fibre is affected by diet, gender, age, and climatic factors. Herds from the arid regions of Inner Mongolia (China) and Mongolia, are considered to produce the finest cashmere fibre in the world and are the top two producers. Herders in these regions are historically nomadic and have been guiding herds of goats and other livestock across the grasslands for thousands of years – although herders in Inner Mongolia have now shifted to more farm-based production. In fact, Mongolia is so uniquely suited for cashmere production that its production supports nearly 40% of the country’s population. It is also important to note that the life of a cashmere herder, though challenging, is one traditionally respected and enjoyed. Herders feel a sense of commitment and connection to the land and goats and, given prices remain stable, it is a life they would proudly encourage for their children.

As for the fibre itself, cashmere is fine in texture, strong, light, and soft. Under the U.S. Textile and Wool Acts, which closely reflect regulations in other regions, a wool or textile product may be labelled as containing cashmere only if 1) the average diameter of the fibre does not exceed 19 microns; 2) the product does not contain more than 3% (by weight) of cashmere fibres with average diameters exceeding 30 microns; and 3) the average fibre diameter may be subject to a coefficient of variation around the mean that shall not exceed 24%.  For comparison, a human hair can range from 17 to 181 microns in diameter. By industry standards, cashmere must be at least 0.6 – 2.54 centimetres long.

What makes cashmere a highly desirable and versatile fibre

Chimaeze Onyeiwu, Procurement and Technical Director at Johnstons of Elgin, a Scottish textile manufacturer that specialises in cashmere and fine woollens, describes the qualities of cashmere fibre: “Apart from the much recognised softness and fineness of cashmere, it is also hydrophilic, hygroscopic, hypoallergenic and has a very good crimp. Hydrophilic means it naturally absorbs water, which makes it an easy material to dye. Hygroscopic means the cashmere actively attracts humidity from the air which gives it a high moisture content and allows it to regulate insulation properties to fit the weather. Crimp relates to the waviness of the fibre, which helps to trap warm air between the fibres, creates bulk or loftiness, and helps offer insulation up to 5 times that of wool. Add to this its natural hypoallergenicity (non-irritating), its extensibility (extendable), its natural range of colours, and you have a highly desirable and versatile fibre.”

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It is not always obvious at first touch whether a consumer is buying a high-quality product – but there are a few things they can look out for. First is the tension in the knitting – if a small section of a cashmere garment is stretched, its ability to bounce back into shape quickly indicates higher quality. Another trick is to hold the material up to the light and see how transparent it is. The better the cashmere, the denser the material will be. While a certain degree of pilling is considered normal for cashmere garments, a large amount indicates low-quality. Finally, consumers would do well to be sceptical of softness as this may indicate over-processing or that the cashmere has been blended with synthetic fibre. More expensive cashmere is more often harder in the store but will improve and become softer with age and hand-washing (The Sceptical Shopper).

Low quality cashmere is a modern phenomenon

The cashmere production process begins at the herder level in the Spring when goats naturally shed the downy undercoat which keeps them warm during winter. In Mongolia, harvesting is carried out by carefully combing the goats to help remove the moulting cashmere, while in the Inner Mongolia region of China shearing is more commonly used. After harvesting, the fibre is sorted by colour, bagged, and sent on to processing plants for scouring and dehairing. This is where the raw fibre is washed to remove grease, vegetation, and dirt and then dehaired via machinery to remove any remaining guard hair from the fine cashmere fibres. The fibre is then spun into yarn and dyed before being woven or knitted into a sweater, scarf, or other final garment.

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Ian Whiteford, Sustainability and Compliance Manager at Alex Begg & Co., a Scottish weaver of luxury accessories, reflects on the process: “In order to obtain finished articles of the highest quality, it’s vital to start with the very best raw material then to carefully manage the production process.” Even if the raw material is of the finest quality, a sub-par finishing process can affect the final product’s look, feel, and touch. Whiteford continues: “These [processes] impose mechanical stresses, involve chemicals such as detergents and dyes and subject the cashmere to high temperatures. In the end, however, all this effort and expertise creates products of exquisite softness.”

Skill and precision are needed to protect the quality of this fragile fibre as it travels along the supply chain. Cheap, lower quality cashmere is indeed a modern phenomenon as growing demand has resulted in a speedier production process that is more likely to damage the fibre along the way. Not only is cheap cashmere reflected in the quality and longevity of the garment, but it also threatens the future of the sector, after all who is going to train to develop the next generation of skilled craftsman, when the demand is for cheap and low quality? That is before we consider the impact on the herders and the environment. 

The effects on herder livelihoods and the environment are profound

According to USAID, over the past few decades the garment industry has rapidly transformed: prices have steadily decreased while the fashion cycle has accelerated. Consequently, the market size for luxury clothing is declining and the bargaining power in the value chain has shifted from producers to brand name holders. Competitive pressures from garment producers in low-wage countries have also forced producers in high-wage countries to use faster equipment – which, for cashmere, comes at the cost of quality (older and slower machinery can sometimes be better at protecting the fibres). Despite these changes in the supply chain, it is unlikely that cashmere will ever go out of favour with designers. In fact, its widespread availability means it is now more accessible than ever to the masses (The Independent).

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The effects of these industry changes on the environment, herder livelihoods and animal welfare are pronounced. The lower the market value of raw fibre, the higher the pressure to maintain a large herd to ensure a viable income. This in turn puts pressure on the rangelands, and coupled with the effects of climate change, contributes to desertification and loss of biodiversity. If herders in Mongolia are unable to support their families through cashmere production, they are left with few options for alternative income sources and may need to move to the slum-like outskirts of towns and cities – a migration we are sadly already witnessing in Ulaanbaatar.

The SFA is working to create a more responsible cashmere supply chain

It is increasingly important that measures and programmes are put into place to protect the integrity of the cashmere sector, stabilise prices, and return to more sustainable grazing practices. The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), an international, multi-stakeholder NGO working with herders in both Mongolia and China, created the world’s first global cashmere standard for this purpose and has been working closely with members, local government and other industry partners to make a more resilient and responsible cashmere supply chain. Through the SFA Cashmere Standard and associated codes of practice, it helps to ensure that fibre is produced according to high animal welfare standards and in a way that protects rangelands and secures the long-term viability of herder livelihoods. The SFA also provides opportunities for brands and retailers to contribute to broader capacity building and environmental work programs. Brands and retailers committing to a more responsible cashmere supply chain help to safeguard the high-quality reputation of the world’s most luxurious fibre and also help to safeguard the livelihoods of proud herding communities.

Written by: Sarah Krueger, Communications Manager, SFA

Mongolia’s Academy of Science Partnership

Posted by Fiona Jones

This fall, Mongolia’s Academy of Science and the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) signed a memorandum of cooperation. The goal of the collaboration is to assess and certify sustainable wool and cashmere production operations in order to reduce the negative impact of cashmere production on the environment, provide a better environment for the well-being of herd animals, and increase the ability of herders to recover their livelihoods.

Some of the objectives the partnership will focus on are:

Public Consultation for the SFA Cashmere Standard is now live!

Posted by Fiona Jones

The second round of public consultation for the revision of the SFA Cashmere Standard is now live!

We are seeking feedback on the proposed new structure and indicators for the SFA Cashmere Standard from all stakeholders and members of the public.  Please visit the consultation webpage to review the proposed standard and provide your feedback:  

This consultation is open to anyone interested in SFA’s work, but we especially want to hear from underrepresented stakeholders, NGOs and academics that will be impacted by the standard or have an interest in the material issues being addressed.  

The public consultation will close on 2nd December 2022.   

This is a vital piece of work which aims to improve the standard robustness and measurability. The revision aims to: 

The standard review is being conducted as per the SFA’s Standard Setting Procedure, which makes reference to ISEAL’s code of good practice on Standard Setting.  Decisions are made by the Standard Setting and Improvement committee (SSIC).

Ulaanbaatar Conference 2022 | Summary

Posted by Fiona Jones

On 9 September, 2022, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance organised the Natural Fibre Connect conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The event welcomed 120 in-person guests representing 17 provinces, 58 herding cooperatives, processors, partners, academic institutions, as well as government and non-government organisations. An additional 11 thousand guests attended virtually through the SFA’s live-stream of the conference on Facebook.

Talks were held throughout the day along with a series of working group breakout sessions to discuss the following important themes:

1. The need to focus on the social issues of herders

2. Natural fibres – becoming the driving force of the rural economy

3. Livestock Breeding and Care Realities – Challenges for Farmers and Cooperatives

4. How Chain of Custody and Traceability are Changing the sector?

5. How to support cooperatives with green financing?

Herder cooperatives and communities discussed the importance of maintaining fibre quality alongside sustainability, and the need for affordable veterinary care and subsequent medicines. One of the main takeaways relating to animal care was that if good conditions (health care and water quality) are maintained in line with international standards, waste would be reduced and herder lifestyles would also be improve. Water quality was highlighted as a major issue, with a large percentage of families using wells which can lead to hygiene concerns. Artificial insemination was also a topic of discussion as a viable option to maintain the sustainability of herder lifestyles.

Other key takeaways related to social protection and health insurance. Herders were encouraging to conduct medical examinations for themselves at minimum twice a year; herders were also urged to partake in the extensive ‘herder health insurance’ to protect their finances and maintain social protection, especially due to the risky nature of their jobs. Linked to this, it was determined that labour safety standards on par with international guidelines need to be introduced, implemented and monitored in herding groups.

Furthermore, protecting herders through education and training was emphasised as paramount, so that they can better understand and utilise tools like satellite imagery, GPS and identification services. These technologies can be applied in order to facilitate surveillance activities and monitor where their livestock are grazing.

To close out the conference, more information was shared regarding the new collaboration between the SFA and Khan Bank, one of the major commercial banks in Mongolia, which is providing preferential loans to certified herding families and cooperatives.

As the Mongolian government expands and creates more positions with the priority of protecting the cashmere industry, social protection for herding communities should become a bigger consideration. Additionally, creating better incentives for sustainable change within the industry would aid both Mongolian herding communities and the national economy.


Public Consultation for New Standard

Posted by Fiona Jones

The final Public Consultation will be launching here soon. Watch this space for further updates.

Why is the standard being reviewed?

We invite you to provide your feedback on the content and structure of the SFA Cashmere Standard, as the standard will be a multi-stakeholder developed standard, ensuring that we have input from stakeholder regardless of location, ethnicity, perspective or sector. We are particularly interested to hear from underrepresented stakeholders that will be impacted by the standard.

We are actively looking for experts and practitioners in the following subject areas:

You can provide feedback or comments relating to the content or structure of the SFA Cashmere Cashmere Standard by emailing standards@sustainablefibre.org.

Natural Fibre Connect | Virtual Conference Summary

Posted by Fiona Jones

Understanding the Growers & Herders perspectives is key to building better textile fibre supply chain partnerships to accelerate innovation and sustainability

On 7-9 September 2022 the Natural Fibre Connect online conference for the alpaca, cashmere, mohair, and wool industries completed successfully. 

Over 1000 tickets were sold for the live event and on-demand content platform to participants from 43 different countries. For 6 hours on each of the three conference days, over 80 speakers shared their knowledge across 9 key themes such as animal welfare, social welfare, regenerative agriculture, traceability, green finance and the metaverse. Majority of the presentations were available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Mongolian. 

Highlights of the event, were speeches from His Majesty King Letsie III from Lesotho, Artist Michelangelo Pistoletto as well as La Rhea Pepper, CEO of Textile Exchange. 

Recordings of all live presentations and discussions are available on the platform along with additional on-demand content until the end of the year.

In addition to the live conference, ticket holders also had access to a virtual exhibition hall where close to 40 different sponsors representing the Alpaca, Cashmere, Mohair and Wool industry exhibited their organizations and projects. Visitors to the virtual booths were able to connect and interact with the respective booth representatives. 

The Natural Fibre Connect conference has highlighted the challenges of the textile industry of natural fibers of animal origin, considering current global trends. Industry experts, opinion leaders, breeders, brokers and brand representatives have shared their experience, concerns, limitations and challenges the industry faces in the light of new consumer demands.

One of the most important conclusions was that sustainability has multiple dimensions: environmental, economic, social and cultural; only when all four dimensions are being addressed progress in areas such as climate change, desertification and animal welfare can be achieved. This became apparent in the discussions around traceability and green finance where efforts need to go beyond Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or animal welfare standards and instead must consider economic and social dimensions as well. 

The argument can however also be reversed. Improving livestock and regenerative practices and certifying them requires financial resources and the commitment and partnership of the entire value chain. Speakers of the green finance session have shown that funds exist and that the natural fibre industries must work together to tap into this massive opportunity. 

Speakers of the Web 3.0 session also gave a glimpse into how the metaverse and blockchain technology will change supply chains, on-farm data management as well as consumer interaction with textile products and the people working in textiles. The transformational power of the new technologies is the future of the industry and will connect us in ways we cannot imagine today

The event was closed with growers and herders connecting live from Australia, Mongolia, China, South Africa and Argentina to share their perspective, challenges, questions and ideas with the supply chain.  

Participants by industry sector

Natural Fibre Connect 2022

Posted by Fiona Jones

Natural Fibre Connect Online Conference 2022

Natural Fibre Connect is an online conference taking place on 7-9 September 2022 for the alpaca, cashmere, mohair, and wool industries.

As the effects of climate change and market fluctuations continue to grow, it is more important than ever before to understand the impact on growers and herders at the beginning of our supply chains — their prosperity is vital for safeguarding the future of the sector and making real progress towards our sustainability goals. The virtual event will cover trends, challenges, and innovations within the four industries and how they are impacting growers and herders around the world. In turn, we will look at how the growers and herders themselves are shaping the future of the sector.

The event will welcome over 1000+ guests from around the world, including growers, processors, brokers, manufacturers, brands, NGOs, and government stakeholders invested in the natural fibres sector. As the name of the conference suggests, the focus will be to connect all actors of the supply chain, exchange knowledge and insights and work together toward reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 3 live days are filled with expert speakers, recorded talks, and roundtable discussions aimed at tackling the common challenges of the alpaca, cashmere, mohair, and wool industries.

Attendees will benefit from plenty of networking opportunities including access to the virtual exhibition hall where they can connect with fibre supply chain companies, NGOs, and government organisations invested in making the natural fibre industries more sustainable.

Topics discussed during the three-day conference will be:

The event platform is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. There will be 2 sessions per day discussing the same topics with different speakers: First session (7:00-10:00 UTC) Second session (14:00-17:00 UTC).

An overview of the schedule can be viewed here: https://woolconnect.gschneider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Schedule-Natural-Fibre-Connect-2022-1.pdf

More information and tickets about the event can be found here: https://bit.ly/NaturalFibreConnect

COP26 | The SFA meets with the Mongolian Delegation

Posted by Fiona Jones

This past week, the SFA was honoured to meet with the Mongolian delegation for COP26 in Scotland for a tour of Alex Begg’s factory. Alex Begg, a longstanding member of the SFA, is a leading manufacturer of luxury goods and accessories and is committed to sourcing sustainably produced cashmere from Mongolian producers. The delegation’s visit to the factory, and the discussions around climate and land restoration which followed, shows the commitment that the new administration has towards sustainable trade and aligning Mongolia’s international policies on trade and climate change with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN’s SDGs. The SFA is looking forward to developing public and private sector partnerships with the support of the new cabinet; these multi-stakeholder partnerships will help to support the Mongolian people towards creating an economy in sustainable cashmere, as well as creating better systems by which to support this new economy.

Mongolian media also attended the tour of Alex Begg’s factory to document the ministers’ visit. Their reporting for the Mongolian public helped to highlight the role that the cashmere sector can have in mitigating the climate crisis and share new information and ideas from the government’s visit. Systemic change will involve participation along every stage of production and will require the support of a committed government and strong partnerships.

The SFA’s holistic approach to sustainable cashmere is a good example of what is required to make lasting and widespread change in this industry. It requires the cooperation of the whole supply chain and the support of the global market to address issues of land management, animal welfare, clean fibre processing and herder livelihoods. It is through economic incentives that we will see change on the ground as a market-led approach acknowledges the important connection between a thriving economy and environmental impact.

As the SFA continues to grow and expand, we look forward to future opportunities to connect with the Mongolian cabinet and further develop the relationship and ideas introduced at COP26 that promise a better future for cashmere. 

Sustainability in the Cashmere Sector Conference | Culture Panel

Posted by Fiona Jones

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance organized a three-day virtual conference this Autumn on the Sustainability of the Cashmere Sector. On the second day of the conference, four Mongolian speakers spoke on the theme of “Culture” how we can we learn from other disciplines that look at the realities of nomadic life from different angles. The Culture Panel speakers helped enlighten us by sharing their greater knowledge and understanding on how cultural photography, cultural artwork and ethnographic research are able to expose humanity’s connection to the natural world and what we can learn from pastoralists’ mentality and wisdom – their way of living that is inherited from ancient ancestors yet still so vibrant today.

P. Battulga, founder of the “EGEL” project for the study of Mongolian ethnic heritage and photography, gave his presentation titled “Transformation of nomadic life into modern design.” The report was divided into five subsections: Mobility, Colors, Numbers, Equestrian Culture and Miscellaneous. The speaker said that he was trying to give new ideas, new motivation and new ideas to professional designers and anyone who wants to develop the cashmere market in a sustainable way.

The artist T. Nurmaajav, who creates her artwork using the genre of Mongolian painting, presented fiive of her works: “Sunrise”, “Summer”, “Good Noise”, “Peace” and “Mongolian Wind”. She also talked about how she reflects the nomadic lifestyle, the general harmony of Mongolian paintings and innovative expressions in her works.

L. Jargalsaikhan, a nature photographer of birds, butterflies and insects, spoke about whether herders’ livelihoods are at a reasonable level with nature and wildlife, and how climate change and agriculture affect the balance of nature. He compared how natural degradation relates to the seasonality and attitudes of people, to the photographs of birds and animals that he took.

M.Enkhbaatar, a doctoral candidate at the Institute of History and Ethnology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, made a presentation on the topic of “Knowledge of Mongolian Shepherds about Goats”. The presentation was divided into four sections: “What is the role of goats in the herd?”, “Is it possible not to have sheep and goats in the city?”, “Responsible grazing of goats” and “Characteristics of goats”. It was also interesting to understand the difference between the Mongolian notion that “more goats destroy pastures” and simply explaining the pros and cons of goats herd.

Article in Mongolian

Тогтвортой ноос ноолуурын олон улсын эвслээс ноолуурын үйлдвэрлэлд тогтвортой ханган нийлүүлэлтийн сүлжээг бий болгох зорилготой сонирхогч талуудыг оролцуулсан “Ноолуурын салбарын тогтвортой байдал” сэдэвт гурван өдрийн виртуал бага хурлыг зохион байгууллаа. Уг хурлын хоёр дахь өдөр “Өв соёл” сэдвийн хүрээнд Монголын талаас дөрвөн хүн илтгэгчээр оролцож, өөрсдийн сонгож авсан сэдвийн хүрээнд илтгэл тавьлаа. Энэ хэсгийн чиглүүлэгчээр Монгол дахь Тогтвортой ноос ноолуур эвслийн захирал, доктор Б.Батхишиг ажиллаа.

Монгол угсаатны өв соёлын судалгаа, гэрэл зургийн “ЭГЭЛ” төслийг санаачлагч П.Баттулга “Нүүдэлчин ахуйг орчин үеийн дизайнд урвуулах нь” сэдвээр илтгэл тавьсан. Энэхүү илтгэл нь Нүүдэл, Өнгө, Тооно, Адуун соёл, Элдэв гэсэн таван дэд агуулгад хуваагдсан байлаа. Илтгэгч мэргэжлийн дизайнерууд болон, ноолуурын зах зээлийг тогтвортой хөгжүүлэхийг эрмэлзэгч хэн бүхэнд шинэ санаа, шинэ сэдэл, шинэ ойлголт өгөхийг хичээсэн гэдгээ илэрхийлж байсан ба гэрэл зураг гэдэг хэдэн зуу, хэдэн мянган үгийн үнэ цэнтэй баримт тул төслийн хүрээнд авсан 80 гаруй фото зураг илүү олон зүйл өгүүлсэн хэмээн итгэж буйгаа хэлж байв.

Монгол зургийн аргаар уран бүтээлээ туурвидаг, зураач Т.Нурмаажав өөрийн “Сэтгэлд мандсан нар”, “Зун”, “Сайн чимээ”, “Амар амгалан”, “Монгол салхи” зэрэг таван бүтээлээ хурал оролцогчдод танилцуулсан. Ингэхдээ мөн л нүүдэлчин ахуй, монгол зургийн ерөнхий өнгө зохицол, зохиомжийн шинэлэг илэрхийллийг бүтээлдээ хэрхэн тусгаснаа илтгэлдээ өгүүлж байлаа.

Байгалийн тэр дундаа шувууны, эрвээхэйн, шавьжны зураг авдаг гэрэл зурагчин Л.Жаргалсайхан илтгэлдээ малчдын ахуй амьдрал байгальтай, ан амьтадтай зохистой түвшинд байж чадаж байгаа эсэх, уур амьсгалын өөрчлөлт, газар тариалан зэрэг нь байгалийн тэнцвэрт хэрхэн нөлөөлж буй талаар ярилаа. Байгалийн доройтол цаг улирлын байдалтай яаж холбогдож байгаа, хүмүүсийн хандлага зэргийг өөрийн авсан шувууд, амьтадын зурагтай жишин ярьсан юм.

Монгол Улсын Шинжлэх ухааны Академийн Түүх, угсаатны зүйн хүрээлэнгийн эрдэм шинжилгээний ажилтан, докторант М.Энхбаатар “Монгол малчдын ямаатай холбоогдох мэдлэг” сэдвээр тавьсан илтгэл мөн сонирхол татна. Уг илтгэл “Сүргийн дотор ямаа ямар үүрэгтэй вэ”, “Хоттой хонь ямаагүй байж болох уу”, “Ямаан сүргийн хариулга маллагаа”, “Ямааны онцлог шинжүүд” гэсэн дөрвөн хэсгээс бүрдэж байлаа. Монголчуудын дунд нийтлэг байдаг “Ямаа олширвол бэлчээр талхлагддаг” гэсэн ойлголтын ялгаа заагийг ойлгуулсан, ямаа хэмээх малын сайн хийгээд саар талыг энгийн ойлгомжтой талбарласан мөн л сонирхолтой байлаа.

The Sustainable Cashmere Standard Public Consultation is Now Open

Posted by Fiona Jones

SFA first published codes of practice for rangeland stewardship, animal husbandry, and clean fibre processing. The focus for each of these is on continuous improvement with certification at three award levels to reflect compliance. 

In 2022 the SFA is proposing consolidating into the Sustainable Cashmere Standard, a performance-based, outcome-oriented worldwide standard. The Principles and Criteria focus on the production of cashmere in a way that is measurably better for animals, the environment, and herding communities. 

The SCS Principles are the essential rules or elements of environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable cashmere production, and the Criteria provide the means of judging whether or not a Principle has been fulfilled. 

To find our more, visit our website for more details. 

Sustainable Fibre Alliance Becomes an ISEAL Community Member

Posted by Fiona Jones

ISEAL is pleased to welcome the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) into the ISEAL community as an ISEAL Community Member. We are excited to learn from their experience at implementing a standard at a landscape level, and engaging with them to support their improvement over time.

ISEAL members are sustainability systems and accreditation bodies dedicated to delivering benefits for people and planet. They are committed to continually improving their systems and impacts through learning and innovation; collaborating with stakeholders and peers; and are transparent and truthful about how their systems work and how they measure their impacts.

In becoming an ISEAL Community Member, SFA joins a growing number of well-respected sustainability systems that are driving positive social and environmental change across multiple sectors. SFA will be working alongside these mission-driven sustainability organisations to continuously improve the effectiveness of their systems and demonstrate impact.

Further to the recommendation from the ISEAL Membership Committee, and ISEAL Board approval, ISEAL’s Executive Director Karin Kreider said, “I am very pleased to welcome the Sustainable Fibre Alliance to the ISEAL community! And, excited that we now have a member whose primary focus is the cashmere sector and working in Mongolia. They provide an important contribution to the challenges of textile production and their field-based work contributes to landscape-based approaches — a welcome addition to the ISEAL learning community.”

Una Jones, CEO & Founder of SFA commented that, “Being an ISEAL community member is a reflection of how committed the SFA is to improving our standard system and its requirements and processes. We are looking forward to learning from other standard holding bodies and sharing best practices and innovative approaches for tackling sustainability challenges”.

ISEAL encourages any organisation developing or operating a sustainability system with a multi-stakeholder approach and a commitment to credible practices to consider joining ISEAL. 

Find out more on the ISEAL membership page.

About ISEAL

ISEAL is the global membership organisation for ambitious, collaborative and transparent sustainability systems. We’re driving collective efforts to tackle the most pressing sustainability issues and create a world where markets are a force for good.

Joining ISEAL’s learning community helps sustainability systems and their partners to deliver real, lasting, positive change. Our Community Members are sustainability standards and similar systems that collaborate to scale and demonstrate positive impact. Our Code Compliant members go further, adhering to our Codes of Good Practice – a globally recognised framework for best practice.

Find out more about our members: www.isealalliance.org

Explore evidence on the impacts of sustainability systems: www.evidensia.eco

Sustainability in the Cashmere Sector Conference

Posted by Fiona Jones

The live portion of our first virtual conference has concluded and we want to thank the over 400 attendees and 50+ speakers who helped make this event a huge success! While the live sessions are complete, you will still be able to view the recorded sessions, explore the exhibition hall, and continue to network with the cashmere industry through 14 October.

It is not too late to purchase a ticket to gain access to the platform and view the recorded versions of the live sessions. Please visit our event website here to learn how to register: https://conference.sustainablefibre.org/virtualconference/.

Don’t Miss Wool Connect, September 7-9

Posted by Fiona Jones

Wool Connect Online Grower Conference taking place on 07-09 September 2021

On 07-09 September 2021, The Schneider Group is organising its second edition of the Wool Connect Online Grower Conference. The event will be scheduled across three days, with around 2-hour sessions each day. A wide range of speakers is scheduled to speak at the event.

Each of the three days will cover a different topic. On day one, the focus will lie on the international context for the wool industry. Here participants will hear from brands and retailers as well as NGOs and policy influencers about the future market demand and trends relevant for wool. Speakers of day one include La Rhea Pepper, CEO of Textile Exchange and Elena Schneider from The Schneider Group.

On day two, the focus will be on animal welfare. During Wool Connect 2020 animal welfare was already openly discussed. One year later, some challenges have already been tackled due to better communications along the supply chain. In this session, speakers will report about the progress made. Speakers of day two include Bridget Peachey from AWI, Südwolle Group representative Davide Marcante, Germán García Ibañez from Inditex, Heinz Zeller from Hugo Boss, Marta Maniero from Marzotto Wool Manufacturing, Paul Swan from SustainaWool, Ed Storey from WoolProducers Australia and Rebecca Picallo Gil from Four Paws, among others.

On the third and last day of Wool Connect, the session will be organised around new income streams such as carbon accounting. Mick Taylor from Landcare Australia, Stephen Wiedemann vom Integrity Ag & Environment and others will lead through this session.

Agricultural media specialist, David Cussons will be leading through the sessions together with wool communicator, Elisabeth van Delden. The goal will be to encourage interactive and engaging sessions between speakers and the audience.

Participants to the event can join all three days live via Zoom. However, all recordings will also be made available within the Wool Connect community for everyone who purchased a ticked. Registration is already available via this link. Authentico Growers receive a 50% discount, and just need to contact the organisers by email at woolconnect@gschneider.com to receive a discount code.

Buy tickets here: https://woolconnect.gschneider.com/register/wool-connect-2021/

Wool Connect is a strategic pillar of the Schneider Group’s Sustainability Strategy TOGETHER 2030. Through the online conference format and community, the Schneider Group aims to contribute to a better dialogue and consensus building along the wool supply chain.

Register your interest in our Mongolia Chain of Custody

Posted by Fiona Jones

Interested in purchasing SFA Certified Cashmere from Mongolia this year? Register your interest HERE by April 12 and we will get back to you with more information and the official participant forms.

Why is it important for brands and retailers to commit to Chain of Custody? Committing to the purchase of SFA Certified fibre helps ensure the participation of herders and processors by showing demand for certified cashmere. This in turn increases the amount of certified fibre on the market and supports a more sustainable cashmere supply chain.

Registration for our Mongolia Chain of Custody requires a £500 fee which helps support the SFA’s Chain of Custody operations. While the SFA is not a broker, we will help connect you to certified sellers as well as support you with product and marketing claims.

For questions, contact Gunchi Tumur at gunchinmaa.tumur@sustainablefibre.org

Save the Date – Sustainability in the Cashmere Sector Conference 2021

Posted by Fiona Jones

This September the SFA will be hosting a two part conference to explore Sustainability in the Cashmere Sector. Join us from 8-11th of September for our Ulaanbaatar Conference and from 14-16th for our Virtual Conference.

Registration is now open and you can find more information on our event website: https://conference.sustainablefibre.org/

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or speaker, please contact Sarah Krueger at sarah.krueger@sustainablefibre.org.

Round Two of Public Consultation on SFA-ICCAW Cashmere Goat Welfare Code of Practice is Now Open…

Posted by Fiona Jones

Round two of the Public Consultation for the joint SFA-ICCAW Code of Practice development is now open for feedback until 12pm on 15th February 2021. More information can be found here.

Round Two of Public Consultation on Clean Fibre Processing (review) is now open…

Posted by Fiona Jones

Round two of the Clean Fibre Processing Code of Practice review is now open until 31st January 2021 for your feedback. More information can be found here.

Nomadic Herders meet with luxury cashmere brands

Posted by Fiona Jones

SFA herders met online with representatives of leading luxury brands to discuss the major issues affecting the cashmere sector this year, including the impact of Covid-19, this summer’s drought, fibre demand and sustainability practices. The aim of the meetings was to galvanise collective action in building and promoting a competitive and sustainable cashmere sector in Mongolia.

The herders, who have all been accredited against the SFA Codes of Practice, had the opportunity to share their efforts in rangeland protection and animal welfare and their focus on improving livestock quality over quantity. In the Bayarkhongor region the urgency to reduce the number of livestock and improve the rangeland conditions has been brought into sharp focus with the threat of a dzud this year (where extreme weather following a poor summer results in livestock not being able to access enough grass).

The SFA collaborated with the UNDP’s Mongolian Sustainable Cashmere Platform (MSCP), who initiated the meetings. They also arranged meetings with other sustainability initiatives including the NFPUG, ENSURE and Green Gold. 

This was the first in a series of these meetings between produces and brands, the next will be on the 20th November, if you would like to attend, or would like us to pose a question on your behalf then register on http://sustainablecashmereplatform.com/ – it’s certainly not your typical zoom meeting!

Herder training in Inner Mongolia begins!

Posted by Fiona Jones


In September, an on-going series of herder training began in the joint SFA x ICCAW Code of Practice in Cashmere Goat Welfare. The training began in Erdos City and the Yingen Sumu area of Inner Mongolia and was followed by interviews and the inspection of farms of the Ordos Cashmere Group, which were individually assessed on their animal welfare standards. 

In the training, Mr Ayoshi Yongxi, the president of ICCAW, explains the basic principles of animal welfare and emphasises the importance of animal welfare of cashmere goats to the international market. The training sessions are delivered by researchers and professors from the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University.  

The topics covered include: 

Herders Receive Business Development Training

Posted by Fiona Jones

As part of the SFA’s Covid-19 Action Plan, a two-day Business Development Training for Herding Organisations has been held this week in Ulaanbaatar. The aim was to develop business management capacity for herder organisations and cooperatives to trade in raw materials and to increase governance at community organisational level.

A key focus of the SFA’s Covid-19 Action Plan is to reduce the economic vulnerability of herders through increasing economic literacy and their business development training.

The training was well attended with 50 participants, including 39 Herding Organisations Leaders from 35 soums across 10 provinces.

The training was delivered by speakers from the SFA, the Export Development Programme, the Employment Promotion Project and Mandakh Universities and topics included:

Proposal for an ‘International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists’

Posted by Fiona Jones

Grasslands are fundamental to the cashmere supply chain and the Mongolian government is proposing an International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Here’s a short film about pastoralists around the world and their importance. Or visit https://iyrp.info/ to find out more about the initiative.

Public Consultation on Clean Fibre Processing (review) is now open…

Posted by Fiona Jones

The public consultation on the review of The Clean Fibre Processing Code of Practice is open until September 30th. Click here to access the public summary and relevant documents.

Public Consultation on SFA x ICCAW Goat Welfare Code of Practice now open…

Posted by Fiona Jones

The first round of public consultation is now open until the 16th October please follow the link for the public summary.

Good Herding Podcasts

Posted by Fiona Jones

May 2020

This month the SFA Mongolia team has released the first podcast in a series on good herding practices, during cashmere season. This is just one in a series of new ways that the SFA in Mongolia are engaging with herders, which includes videos, a TV series with Khan Bank and handbooks. All of these training materials will be expanded in response to COVID restrictions.

The Chain of Custody has started!

Posted by Fiona Jones

April 2020

The bags have been stamped, the labels have been printed and for the first time, we are about to trace cashmere fibre from the herders through the entire supply chain to the shop floor. Participating companies have been announced in the Chain of Custody pathways. This cashmere season, SFA herding communities have been preparing their fibre by colour and quality. Herding communities in the Ovorkhangai and South Gobi regions have just received their SFA Transaction Certificates and are the first step in our chain of custody pilot.

SFA X ICCAW Inner Mongolia Collaboration

Posted by Fiona Jones

SFA is proud to announce that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Cooperation Committee on Animal Welfare (ICCAW) to cooperate in jointly developing and implementing a joint Code of Practice for accreditation of animal welfare and environmental sustainability of cashmere production in China. The Code of Practice will provide specific guidance for herding families and companies on how to implement ICCAW’s Cashmere Goat Farm Animal Welfare Requirements and will be implementable within SFA’s Sustainable Cashmere Standard.

Sustainable Cashmere Working Group Meeting, 28.04.20

Posted by Fiona Jones

Tuesday, 28th April 2020, Webinar, Time: 10.30 – 13:00 pm BST

With a total of 40 attendants, we heard from a wide range of perspectives about the impacts of Covid-19 on the sector and how the SFA can respond.

We are now taking expressions of interest to be part of the SFA Covid-19 Working Group. This group will be coordinated by our Chair, Chas Hubbard, and its primary task will be to assist in the development of our Covid-19 Action Plan. 

The meeting also included an update on the SFA Chain or Custody and our work in Inner Mongolia.

Animal Welfare Working Group, 04.06.20

Posted by Fiona Jones

Thursday 4th June 2020: 10:30 – 12:10. BST, Webinar.

As part of the webinar, Zara Morris-Trainor gave a presentation explaining the differences between the pastoral and farm-based systems in the context of the internationally recognized Five Freedoms framework, which form the base level for SFA’s codes of practice in animal welfare. 

Mr. Ayoshi Ayongxi of the International Cooperation Committee of Animal Welfare (ICCAW),  talked us through the requirements of the joint code of practice for cashmere goats in Inner Mongolia. 

Members also shared their approach in protecting cashmere’s reputation.

Parliamentary reception, London, 11.09.18

Posted by Fiona Jones

House of Commons, Westminster, London

Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 18.00 -21.00

Sustainable Fibre Alliance and Mongolian British Chamber of Commerce in association with the All Party Parliamentary Mongolia Group and OYUNA successfully organised “Mongolian Cashmere” reception in the Jubilee Room in Parliament of Westminster Hall to promote Mongolian sustainable cashmere industry on 11 September 2018.