Merino Wool Standards
What they really mean and how they can help you make more informed decisions.
By: Johanna Heimlicher
20.04.2026
Merino feels natural, soft and effortless. But understanding how responsible wool is defined can be confusing. Words like “ethical” or “natural” sound great but they don’t always reflect the reality of farming or supply chains.
At Odlo, we try to be clear and honest. We focus on what we can verify today and keep improving step by step.
WHY WOOL STANDARDS EXIST
Wool is a natural fibre, but “natural” doesn’t automatically mean sustainable or humane. That’s where standards come in. They help ensure:
Sheep are treated responsibly
Farmers follow verified animal welfare practices
The supply chain is transparent
The fibre’s origin and handling can be trusted
Across the industry, the strongest standards go far beyond banning harmful practices. They look at the wellbeing of the animal, the land it lives on, and the journey of the fibre from farm to finished garment.
Non‑mulesed as our baseline
Mulesing is a sometimes painful process where areas of skin are removed from merino sheep (without anaesthetic) to reduce the risk of flystrike (blowfly maggot infestation). All the merino wool we use is non‑mulesed. This is our starting point. We rely on formal declarations from our suppliers that manage their own traceability systems. Where our wool comes from: - New Zealand – mulesing banned by law - South Africa – mulesing not practiced due to the absence of the blowfly - Australia – only from farms that can demonstrate non‑mulesed wool We continue to strengthen our understanding of the supply chain. Our approach evolves as we gain better tools and more robust certification.
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a widely recognised certification that covers animal welfare, land management and traceability through independent audits. We’re in the process of obtaining RWS brand certification right now so that all our 100% merino base layers will be RWS‑certified by FW27. This means: - Using RWS‑certified raw wool - Ensuring transaction certificates follow each batch - Communicating certification clearly on packaging RWS certification is a practical and credible way to strengthen traceability in line with new regulations and customer expectations.
Is merino wool sustainable?
Merino wool has natural performance benefits – odour resistance, thermoregulation, softness – but sustainability depends on the full picture. Keep in mind the following:
Wool is natural, but processing involves chemicals (ours meet OEKO‑TEX® 100 requirements).
Wool garments include trims and prints that may not be biodegradable.
Care habits matter: airing merino instead of over washing significantly reduces its footprint.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Certified merino wool helps you make clearer choices. For Odlo, it means we can prove – not just promise – that our wool meets high ethical and environmental standards.
Just remember that the sustainability of a wool garment is also dependent on how long it lasts. As we always say, merino is a precious material, so make sure you take good care of it.
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If you're unsure about your choice as a consumer between merino and synthetics and you'd like our view on it, you can read the following: Merino vs Synthetics: Our Take on Outdoor Apparel Debate
You can also read about the European journey of our pure merino blends: From Norway to Romania: The European Journey of Our Pure Merino Blends