John Lewis has secured Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) certified cashmere across their own brand womenswear cashmere collection.
The SFA works with the entire supply chain to promote responsibly produced cashmere, prioritising high animal welfare standards, safeguarding livelihoods and minimising the environmental impact of cashmere.
John Lewis commercial director Kathleen Mitchell said: “We’re proud to be leading the way among other retailers with our womenswear cashmere range, securing SFA-certified cashmere is a brilliant step that provides financial security for our herders as well as ensuring the welfare of the animals throughout the supply chain.”
The retailer is committed to ensuring raw materials in its own-brand products such as – soya, palm oil, cocoa, timber, cotton, feather & down and cashmere – from sustainable or recycled sources by 2025.
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SFA CEO and founder Una Jones commented: “It is through the incredible commitment and dedication of our members that we at the SFA can make positive impacts within the cashmere and natural fibre supply chains.
“John Lewis is leading by example by becoming one of the first retailers to have 100% SFA-certified cashmere in their womenswear range, a significant milestone to achieve and we are proud to work with the John Lewis team on this challenging journey.
“Through this, John Lewis is showing what is possible by helping to create a more sustainable cashmere market that supports herder livelihoods, ensures high animal welfare, and protects the environment and rangelands.”
In 2021, the retailer announced funding for the training of 420 herders as part of a three-year sustainable cashmere programme with SFA.
At the time, John Lewis Partnership ethics and sustainability director Marija Rompani said: “It’s very important to us and our customers that all of the raw materials in our products are sourced in a way that’s good for the animals, land and people involved in their production.”
