The Good Cashmere Standard®
When we know cashmere has been sourced to the highest standards, it feels even better to wear, which is why we are part of The Good Cashmere Standard® – in fact, we were the very first British brand to join back in 2020.
What it stands for
Animal welfare
The standard ensures goats have access to shelter, nutrition, freedom of movement, social interaction and positive experiences. The standard requirements are based on the Five Domains for Animal Welfare.
Land health
The Good Cashmere Standard® helps protect biodiversity and promotes the peaceful coexistence of people, cashmere goats and wildlife.
Social responsibility
The standard ensures fair, safe and respectful working conditions for all workers.
Credible verifications
Independent verifications by a third party are in place to guarantee the reliability of the standard.
Chain of custody
Our cashmere can be traced and tracked every step of the way from farms to our stores
Responsible management
Transparent practices, regular verifications and ongoing training are required at all levels of the supply chain.
The standard, explained
Developed by the Aid by Trade Foundation, The Good Cashmere Standard® ensures that goat welfare, environmental protection and fair working conditions are met throughout the cashmere supply chain, from goat to garment. Traceability is key – each verified product can be tracked through TextileGenesis™, a cutting-edge digital platform that follows the fibre’s journey every step of the way.
Where it starts
Our cashmere begins life in Inner Mongolia, an expansive region in northern China known for its dramatic seasonal shifts. Winters can plunge to -40°C and to survive, cashmere goats grow a remarkably fine undercoat that acts as nature’s thermal layer – this is what is collected for cashmere, as goats begin to naturally shed in the Spring. Harvesting it takes patience; fibre is collected just once a year, and it typically takes one goat to produce enough for just one scarf – which is why it’s so precious.
Care comes first
Goat welfare is central to the way our cashmere is sourced. Typically raised in herds of 400–800, these animals have access to vast open pastures, giving them space to roam freely and express their natural behaviours. To prevent overgrazing, which can damage the fragile ecosystem, herders use rotational grazing and supplement their goats’ diets with extra nutrition to promote long-term environmental balance and prevent biodiversity loss.
Our cashmere partners
Our supplier partner has been sourcing cashmere directly from families of herders in Inner Mongolia for almost 30 years. Each family cares for their goats and the land following techniques that have been passed down generations, as well as adopting modern practices through guidance from the Good Cashmere Standard.
Overseeing the entire supply chain, which covers the dehairing, carding, spinning, knitting and linking processes, our supplier partner ensures that each step of the production process upholds the highest standards. The partnership that we and our supplier partner hold with the Good Cashmere Standard means that each step of the supply chain can be traced back to its origins. Our Head of Ethics and Sustainability is pictured here during a visit to Inner Mongolia.
The White Company is a Good Cashmere Standard® brand partner. Only the products which carry the Good Cashmere Standard® label and claim are verified. Learn more at www.thegoodcashmerestandard.org a standard of the Aid by Trade Foundation.
Find out more
Take a look at other ways we’re committed to improving our practices.
