Like any other human activity, the production and use of cashmere and wool are often questioned about sustainability. The concept itself is debated and before we ask what is, or is not, sustainable, there are arguments about the definition of sustainability and different perspectives of what should or should not be included in the concept.
Some restrict the concept of sustainability only to the environment and animal welfare; others only consider the economical or financial side and forget other important aspects like social matters. A wider and balanced definition states that sustainability is the ability to continue a behavior or maintain a process indefinitely and this includes all aspects: environmental, animal, social and economic.
The Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute was founded to protect the consumers, serious manufacturers and retailers from frauds on cashmere. Whatever is the academic definition of sustainability our history demonstrates the integrity of the values shared by the CCMI members in both of our councils: Cashmere and Superfine Wool.
The proper and transparent content labeling of products made of cashmere and fine wool protects the right of consumers to recognize quality products and distinguish them from those of lesser value. The CCMI has supported such accurate labelling for years through random testing and enforcement programs and has always acted to counter frauds. It has also tried to warn consumers about disingenuous "great deals" on cashmere products that are sometimes promoted on the basis of generalized claims that can be neither proven nor disproven, like “world class,” “best,” or “sustainable,” but are not necessarily of high quality.
True sustainability in all phases of the supply chain, from breeders to retailers, is a goal, not a characteristic. It begins with consumer recognition that cashmere and fine wool are premium fibers uniquely suited for high quality and luxury goods. Education of the public plays an important role in explaining this important fact, and in avoiding undue emphasis on increasing the volume of cashmere production at the expense of quality, such as by using poor quality cashmere fiber, or taking “recycling” cashmere from used garments to make less durable and lower quality fabric.
Among the members of the CCMI, there are big multinational groups and smaller family owned companies with great tradition and unmatched craftsmanship. Most have decades, if not over a century, of history that is the best demonstration of social sustainability of the communities in which they operate. Some of our members are also investing directly into initiatives to reconstruct an economy and support local communities in places where war has been the only reality for decades.
All members are committed to quality products made through the best practices with the highest standard in environmental protection, against cruelty and abuse of all animals; furthermore, they invest to improve their processes further year after year.
These are the CCMI's values. Our Institute and its members are committed to pursue and improve them in the future as they have done for generations.