WHAT IS THE SFA CASHMERE STANDARD
The SFA Cashmere Standard defines best practice for responsible cashmere production. Focused at the herder-level, the standard covers the most pressing sustainability issues associated with raw fibre production and outlines the intended outcomes achieved through the standard’s adoption.
The SFA Cashmere Standard was first introduced in January 2023 following an extensive revision and multi-stakeholder consultation throughout 2022. This revision involved a restructuring and integration of the SFA’s three herder-level codes of practice: the Rangeland Stewardship and Animal Husbandry Codes of Practice, which have been in operation in Mongolia since 2017 and 2019 respectively, and the SFA-ICCAW Cashmere Goat Welfare Code of Practice, which has been in operation in China since 2020. You can learn more about the revision process and the comments received here.
Due to an extended consultation period throughout 2024, which you can find more details on here, herder organisations will continue to operate on the current SFA’s herder-level codes of practice, the Rangeland Stewardship Code of Practice, Animal Husbandry Code of Practice, and the SFA-ICCAW Cashmere Goat Welfare Code of Practice until further notice.
View the latest version of the SFA Standards and related documents on our Resources page.
FIVE GLOBAL PRINCIPLES
The SFA Cashmere Standard lays out the definition of responsible cashmere production, by upholding five global principles, which are that herders:
- Ensure the welfare of their goats
- Safeguard biodiversity and use land responsibly
- Promote decent work
- Preserve and enhance fibre quality, and
- Operate an effective management system
Click on a principle below to learn more
