RWS wool stands for Responsible Wool Standard wool. The Responsible Wool Standard is a certification for wool farmers and sellers that aims to improve the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on. The RWS standard requires certification achievers to meet rigorous animal welfare, land management, and social requirements. The certification applies to all sites, from wool farmers to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction. The RWS aims to ensure responsible wool from sheep to store. The standard is voluntary and supposedly independent. The RWS is a global standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and land management practices, providing brands with a key differentiation and complete traceability of the wool. The RWS is not cruelty-free, but it aims to ensure that sheep are free from pain, fear, and distress. The RWS does not address how sheep are slaughtered by the wool industry.