What is the SFA Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard?
The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) is a global initiative established to ensure the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of cashmere — a luxury fiber —particularly in regions like Mongolia and China. The SFA Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard is a transparent supply chain tracking system that ensures sustainable cashmere sourced from SFA-certified farms and nomadic herders is monitored throughout scouring, dehairing, spinning, weaving, and final garment manufacturing without being lost or mixed up with conventional cashmere. It is one of the most reliable ways for luxury fashion brands to verify the origin of their cashmere.
Key Technical Criteria of SFA CoC Certification
The SFA Chain of Custody accommodates varying supply chain capabilities and brand demands by offering two primary traceability models. The technical framework can be summarized as follows:
Traceability Models:
Segregation: A model where SFA-certified cashmere is kept completely physically separated from conventional (non-certified) cashmere throughout all production and storage stages. It provides 100% physical traceability back to the source.
Mass Balance: A model where SFA-certified cashmere is allowed to be mixed with conventional cashmere in the production line, but the system strictly ensures that the volume of SFA cashmere entering the facility mathematically matches the volume of SFA-claimed products sold.
Chain of Custody Operations and Documentation:
SFA-certified fibers are documented with official records at every change of ownership in the supply chain (e.g., from spinner to weaver).
Traceability is rigorously audited through the facilities' inventory management, invoicing systems, and input-output reconciliations. This eliminates the risk of greenwashing and the adulteration (mixing with inferior fibers) commonly found in luxury fibers.
Out of Scope Areas:
The SFA CoC standard focuses solely on the physical chain of custody of the material. Ecological and social audits at the manufacturing facilities, such as wastewater treatment, chemical restrictions, or labor rights, are not directly covered by this specific standard (these issues are addressed in the SFA's farm-level standards or other specific textile standards).
Why Choose SFA CoC Certification with ETKO?
Cashmere is one of the most valuable fibers in the textile industry, featuring one of the most complex supply chains. Global luxury brands want to prove to their consumers that the cashmere they use is produced without contributing to the desertification of the Mongolian steppes and with full respect for animal welfare. ETKO’s internationally experienced independent auditors verify the flow of SFA materials in your facility to global standards, granting your brand transparency, prestige, and the status of a trusted supplier in the luxury market.