Italian wool pushes for global wool standards

The Italian wool industry is proposing the creation of global standards for wool traceability and sustainability. This proposal was made by the Italian Wool Section of Sistema Moda Italia (SMI), which represents the entire Italian wool pipeline, from yarn to garments.

To fund this initiative, the SMI offered an initial contribution of €100,000 to the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO). The IWTO is a global wool industry body that sets standards. The Italians believe the IWTO is the right organization to define these standards because of its role in the wool industry.

This proposal has been well received by other wool industry stakeholders around the world, including representatives from Australia. There are currently many different wool integrity schemes around the world, which can be confusing for consumers. The hope is that this new global standard will create consistency and make it easier for consumers to understand the wool they are buying.

Wool industry representatives believe that having clear standards will be especially important in the face of competition from synthetic fibers like polyester. They believe that wool has a great story to tell about its natural and sustainable qualities, but that this message needs to be clear and consistent for consumers.