SFA, the full name of the Sustainable Fiber Alliance, is a non-profit standards holding and membership organization. It represents the world's leading chain players, stakeholders and industry experts committed to ensuring the long-term viability of the cashmere industry. SFA's mission is to minimise the environmental impact of cashmere, safeguard livelihoods and ensure high animal welfare standards. It works closely with the chain of custody to connect herders with brands and retailers in the global fashion industry.
Back to its inception, SFA was acutely aware of the challenges and needs of the cashmere industry. The development process began with an in-depth observation of the impact of the cashmere industry, from the awareness of the damage to the ecological environment caused by overgrazing, to the awareness of the crisis of herders' livelihoods, and the urgent market demand for sustainable products. Together with industry partners, SFA has established a comprehensive and rigorous set of standards to lead the way for the cashmere industry on a sustainable path.
SFA's certification module covers every step from goat rearing to fibre production, with a focus on sustainable land management, animal welfare and chain transparency to ensure that the entire production process meets the highest sustainability standards. In the SFA's five certification modules, we focus on land management and ecosystem protection, seeking to minimize the environmental impact of grazing activities;Pay attention to animal welfare and ensure that goats grow up healthy in good living conditions;Focusing on pastoralist livelihoods and promoting sustainable community development;Focus on chain transparency to ensure that every step of the way, from goat grazing to fiber production, meets standardsAt the same time, we emphasize product quality and production process to provide high-quality cashmere products.
SFA's Cashmere Standard defines best practices for responsible cashmere production, with a primary focus on the pastoralist level, covering the most pressing sustainability issues associated with fibre production. The SFA Chain of Custody tracks the flow of raw materials from certified farms to the final product, ensuring that SFA members make credible claims about the SFA-certified cashmere content in their products and use the SFA certification mark.
The advantages that SFA certification brings to brands are self-evident. It not only provides the brand with a globally recognized sustainability mark, enhances the brand image and market competitiveness, but also receives the professional support and industry advantages of SFA. This allows the brand to stand out in the market. At the same time, through SFA certification, brands can also practice animal and herder welfare, protect the local environment in Mongolia or China, where cashmere is produced, and ensure full traceability of products. In addition, the audit and certification process is based on existing standards that textile companies are familiar with, making the entire process smoother.
Overall, SFA is an alliance dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of the cashmere industry. Through its rigorous standards and certification process, SFA provides brands with reliable support and assurance to succeed in the marketplace.