AbTF Collaborates With TextileGenesis To Enhance Sustainable Cashmere Production
In a bid to bolster the credentials of The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS) as a symbol of sustainably produced and traceable cashmere fibre from inner Mongolia, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) has collaborated with TextileGenesis, A Lectra company. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing transparency and traceability within the cashmere production chain.
Version 2.0 of the standard, a result of meticulous revision by the AbTF, places heightened emphasis on animal welfare in cashmere production. The revision, built on four pillars encompassing sustainable cashmere production, covers crucial aspects including cashmere goat welfare, environmental sustainability, labour conditions and responsible management practices.
The cornerstone of the revision lies in the focus on goat welfare, aligning with David J. Mellor’s model of five domains of animal welfare. Addressing nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state, the standard ensures holistic well-being for cashmere goats, not only meeting their physical needs but also nurturing positive emotional experiences.
An upcoming pilot project for animal welfare assessments, based on the Animal Welfare Indicator Protocol (AWIN), further underscores the commitment to goat welfare. Trained auditors in China will conduct assessments, supplementing detailed audit information with specific indicators for nutrition, environment, health and behaviour. The results will inform the continuous improvement of animal welfare conditions on farms in inner Mongolia.
Beyond goat welfare, the standard’s revision encompasses guidelines for protecting biodiversity, ensuring dignified labour conditions and promoting responsible business practices. These criteria aim to safeguard the environment, uphold ethical labour standards and ensure compliance with GCS values.
Effective 2025, the implementation of The Good Cashmere Standard 2.0 and its criteria will be mandatory, monitored through independent verifications at regular intervals to ensure adherence.
In tandem with the standard’s revision, AbTF has forged a collaboration with TextileGenesis, A Lectra company, to enhance transparency and traceability in cashmere production. Through this partnership, the traceability of GCS-verified cashmere will be facilitated using TextileGenesis’s advanced platform. By tracing cashmere from the rearing of goats to the final product, the partnership aims to provide brands and consumers with confidence in responsible cashmere sourcing.
Christian Barthel, Head of Business Development at the Aid by Trade Foundation, emphasizes the commitment to traceability and transparency, noting the partnership’s role in reinforcing this commitment. He highlights TextileGenesis’s innovative platform as a valuable tool in ensuring full traceability of responsible cashmere.
Amit Gautam, Founder and CEO of TextileGenesis, echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of transparency in fashion supply chains. Through the partnership with The Good Cashmere Standard, TextileGenesis aims to promote responsible cashmere sourcing and provide brands with reliable traceability solutions.
The collaboration between the Aid by Trade Foundation and TextileGenesis marks a significant step towards ensuring sustainability and transparency in the cashmere industry, paving the way for a more responsible and ethical supply chain.
