Suggested Topics
Caring for our environment
Caring for our sheep
Caring for our people
Caring for our industry
Clip preparation and integrity
Users
Frequently Asked Questions
Every property with an AWSS Certificate of Compliance has completed a successful desktop audit with their application including Operator declarations and commitments to the AWSS Grower Standard. A successful annual desktop audit is a condition of certification.
Desktop compliance reviews of the Australian auction catalogue are undertaken by AWEX each week.
Wool lots offered for sale as either SustainaWOOL (Scheme code 'SW') or ResponsiWOOL (Scheme code 'RE') are audited for current and correct certification, and against quality and integrity requirements.
On-farm inspections of Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme certified properties are carried out regularly.
This is currently undertaken by professional inspectors from the Australian Wool Exchange and will soon be moving to a third-party verifying entity.
Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme quality standards include mandatory use of WoolClip (digital wool specifications) and eBale technology (with unique eBale IDs), to enable digital traceability and integrity from farm to first stage processing.
Every lot of wool offered for sale through the Australian auction system is verified for catalogue compliance by the AWSS team to confirm, pre-sale, that any wool in specified bale lots marked with the SustainaWOOL (SW) or ReponsiWOOL (RE) catalogue code is correct.
Lots with a SustainaWOOL or ResponsiWOOL Scheme code are checked for valid Certificate of Compliance property status, and that clip preparation and integrity requirements have been met. Measures are taken to include or remove code listings to ensure accuracy and integrity.
Wool currently in store certified as meeting SustainaWOOL Gold (Scheme Codes = SWAU) can be offered with this code until June 30, 2025.
These bales / lots are not required to meet new criteria of WoolClip and ePack use.
SustainaWOOL Gold is closed for new lots from July 15, 2024.
Wool currently in store certified as meeting SustainaWOOL Green (Scheme Codes = SW) can be offered with this code until June 30, 2025.
These bales / lots are not required to meet new criteria of WoolClip and ePack use.
Wool currently in store certified as meeting SustainaWOOL Blue (previous Scheme Codes = SW plus NWD declared as AA or LN), will need to be offered with Scheme code = RE until June 30, 2025. These bales / lots are not required to meet new criteria of WoolClip and ePack use.
The Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme (AWSS) connects Australian wool growers with brokers, buyers, processors and brands from around the world who share a common vision - of a wool industry that can celebrate and specify the highest standards of sustainability, integrity, and clip preparation, using technology to improve efficiency and enable traceability.
The Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme offers two types of certification: SustainaWOOL and ResponsiWOOL.
Both meet our sustainability standards across the board and differ only in one aspect of caring for sheep, which is breech modification status.
This allows the Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme to be inclusive of different wool production systems in Australia, while importantly having clear separation for customers for whom purchasing non-mulesed wool is important.
To maximise competition and market access for their wool by managing and maintaining their properties, businesses, and the animals in their care, using world-class and recognised sustainable practices that help deliver ongoing viability and success of their enterprises and that of the Australian wool industry.
As an Australian sustainability scheme, the program aligns with key Australian wool industry programs, minimising duplication, and inefficiency of on-farm practice verification.
Using digital AWEX services and innovations such as WoolClip and eBale, choosing to be part of the Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme can give the wool grower, their selling agent and buyers access to credible, fast, and cost-effective certification for lots of wool from a compliant property both at auction or privately sold and post-sale.