Buy wool products that are mulesing-free

The FOUR PAWS brand-check

Are your favourite brands mulesing-free? Are they making any effort to transition away from this painful mutilation? Are they concerned about the welfare of the sheep in their supply chain? Check out the brand ranking below to find out. The ranking includes brands from outdoor, fashion, and sport, and is divided into five categories. These categories evaluate the efforts the brands are making to transition away from mulesing.

Mulesing is only practiced in Australia, however, the Australian wool industry is the biggest global producer of wool for clothing worldwide, which makes mulesing a global issue. The good news is: ending mulesing is possible. Luckily, pain-free solutions, where farmers transition to more resistant sheep breeds, are available and tested. Due to the lack of political leadership on the anti-mulesing issue, it is up to YOU to end mulesing once and for all. We need to demand certified non-mulesed wool or wool with a butt – as we at FOUR PAWS like to call it. With every purchase decision we make, we affect how lambs are being treated – let's support mulesing-free brands and change the lives of millions of lambs!

The Best of the Flock

100% mulesing-free brands

"Black Sheep"

Brands which do not care!

Latest
Champions
& Updates

Help the Lambs!

You can make a difference

Get active as a brand

Become the brand you want to be proud of!

What is FOUR PAWS doing?

Our work to end mulesing?

FOUR PAWS Brand Ranking

The international brands in the ranking were selected to cover different segments of the fashion industry. They vary in size and are at different stages of their journey away from mulesing. Find out where your brand stands!

Details on evaluation criteria

Category & Description

Mulesing-free Champion: Brand is fully certified mulesing-free and can verify this via strong traceability
Gold: Brand made a commitment and started with its implementation to fully phase out mulesed wool based on strong traceability (e.g.: 100% RWS or equivalent by 2025)
Silver: Brand made a commitment to fully phase out mulesed wool and verifies this via strong traceability but has not yet started (e.g.: 100% RWS or equivalent by 2025)
Bronze: Brand is positioned against mulesing in publicly available source
"Black Sheep": Do not communicate any position against mulesing in publicly available sources

🏆 Ortovox (mulesing-free Champion)

Mulesing status:

100% certified mulesing-free – find out more!

Measures taken:

100% mulesing-free wool in stores based on full traceability and robust certification

Recommendation for the brand:

Share your experience and learnings with other brands and address sheep welfare issues beyond mulesing

🏆 Patagonia (mulesing-free Champion)

Mulesing status:

100% certified mulesing-free – find out more!

Measures taken:

100% mulesing-free wool in stores based on full traceability and robust certification

Recommendation for the brand:

Continue sharing your experience and learnings with the industry to address sheep welfare issues beyond mulesing

Fjällräven (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (70%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Fjällräven has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% ZQ or recycled wool by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Icebreaker (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly certified mulesing-free wool in stores (2 sheep farms are in the process of getting certified) – find out more!

Measures taken:

Icebreaker has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% ZQ by 2019)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

H&M (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (12,1% ) certified mulesing-free wool sourced – find out more!

Measures taken:

H&M has initiated the development of RWS, has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Kathmandu (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (42%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Kathmandu has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS certified products by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Esprit (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (32%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Esprit has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS or recycled wool by 2023)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Jack Wolfskin (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (30%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Jack Wolfskin has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (winter season 2022 50% RWS and 100% RWS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Lacoste (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (30%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Lacoste has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS or recycled by 2023)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Mammut (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (23%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Mammut has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS certified wool by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Tommy Hilfiger (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (1%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Tommy Hilfiger has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS or recycled wool by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Next (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

Next has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS or recycled by 2023)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Abercrombie & Fitch (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

Abercrombie & Fitch has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Burberry (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

Burberry has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS, ZQ Merino or Nativa schemes by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Ralph Lauren (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

Ralph Lauren has made a commitment and is starting to implement it [100% sustainable wool (RWS or recycled) by 2025]

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Marks & Spencer (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

Marks & Spencer has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (50% RWS by 2025 and 100% by 2030)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Calvin Klein (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

Calvin Klein has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS or recycled wool by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

s.Oliver (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

s.Oliver has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Vero Moda (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

Vero Moda has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS or equivalent by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

C&A (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

C&A has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS or GRS/RCS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Marc O'Polo (Gold)

Mulesing status:

Partly (46%) certified mulesing-free wool in stores – find out more!

Measures taken:

Marc o'Polo has made a commitment to certify wool and partly implemented it (100% RWS, GOTS, OCS or recycled wool by 2023)

Recommendation for the brand:

Keep close contact to supply chain partners and communicate implementation progress to your consumers

Puma (Silver)

Mulesing status:

Brand in the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

Puma has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Superdry (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Superdry has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

HUGO BOSS (Silver)

Mulesing status:

Mulesing status: In the process of certifying their wool – find out more!

Measures taken:

HUGO BOSS has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (Authentico, RWS, ZQ and equivalent verified knitting wear by 2022, woolen suits by 2025, the intent to transition the entire products range until 2030)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Benetton (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Starting transition away from mulesing

Measures taken:

Benetton has made a partial phase-out commitment (20% mulesing-free/ recycled wool by 2030)

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Levi's (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

Levi’s has made a commitment and is starting to implement it (100% RWS by 2025)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

The North Face (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

The North Face has set a public wool target and is starting to implement it (100% verified mulesing-free by 2030)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Mango (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Mango has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Zara (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Zara has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

American Eagle (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

American Eagle has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Adidas (Silver)

Mulesing status:

In the process of certifying their wool

Measures taken:

Adidas has set a public wool target and is starting to implement it (100% verified mulesing-free by 2030)

Recommendation for the brand:

Take steps with supply chain partners to start the phase-out and communicate progress to your consumers

Reebok (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Reebok has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Nike (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Nike has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Diesel (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Diesel has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Uniqlo (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

Uniqlo has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

John Lewis (Bronze)

Mulesing status:

Brand is publicly against mulesing – find out more!

Measures taken:

John Lewis has not made a phase-out commitment yet

Recommendation for the brand:

100% phase-out commitment based on robust verification schemes communicated publicly on website (animal welfare policy)

Max Mara ("Black Sheep")

Mulesing status:

No plans to exclude mulesing found – find out more!

Measures taken:

No measures are to be found via publicly available sources

Recommendation for the brand:

Set up an Animal Welfare Policy and publish a stance against mulesing via making a phase-out commitment (i.e.: 100% RWS or equivalent by 2023)

Escada ("Black Sheep")

Mulesing status:

No plans to exclude mulesing found – find out more!

Measures taken:

No measures are to be found via publicly available sources

Recommendation for the brand:

Set up an Animal Welfare Policy and publish a stance against mulesing via making a phase-out commitment (i.e.: 100% RWS or equivalent by 2023)

Sign the petition to encourage brands to end sale of mulesed sheep wool.
Carefully consider your clothing options. If you have decided to continue wearing wool, it is important to seek brands that offer certified ‘mulesing-free’.
Share the following tweet with #woolwithabutt and #”your brand”:

What can I do as a brand to protect lambs from mulesing?

Alongside human rights and environmental protection, good animal welfare is a crucial component of ethical fashion. In today’s world, consumers care deeply about how brands value animals.

Here is what you can do to keep up with the growing demand for non-mulesed wool:

Step 1: Make a public commitment to end sales of mulesed wool within a set time frame. Find out more here!
Step 2: Implement robust traceability systems to ensure wool use is restricted to mulesing-free.
Step 3: Enable the customers to make informed decisions by clearly labelling whether a product is mulesing-free.

To support brands FOUR PAWS has developed Animal Welfare Policy Development Guidelines, and a guidebook titled Transitioning Away From Mulesed Wool.

What is FOUR PAWS doing to end mulesing?

FOUR PAWS is building consumer awareness for the cruel practice of mulesing and actively engages with all sectors of the wool industry: brands, retailers, as well as top fashion companies and governments. FOUR PAWS is working collaboratively alongside other animal protection organisations to end mulesing and advocates for higher sheep welfare standards. Read more about our work in our Timeline to end mulesing.

Survey proves progress

towards a non-mulesed future and better sheep welfare in Australia

How progressive Suppliers help to End Mulesing

Interview with Willy Gallia, the Sustainability Manager, at G Schneider

How an Australian wool producing family successfully ended the painful practice of mulesing

Wind of change

Brands against Live Lamb Cutting (Mulesing)

Hope for stopping the cruel mutilation of merino lambs

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Disclaimer of liability for links to third-party sites

On the FOUR PAWS International website there are links to external pages run by third parties. Since we have no influence over the content of these pages, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. The content of third-party pages is always the responsibility of the respective provider or operator. At the time of placing a link on our site, the third-party page has been checked for possible legal infringements. Links are only placed on our pages if none are found. Since it is not possible to continually check the complete content of the pages linked without being informed of actual breaches, we can only delete links that direct our visitors to sites with infringing content when these links are brought to our attention. As soon as we are made aware of links leading to content that infringes the law, it will be deleted immediately.

the choice is in your hands

Buy wool products that are mulesing-free

Many brands are against Mulesing

Is yours too?

The FOUR PAWS brand-check

Which brands take action against mulesing and to what extent?

The FOUR PAWS brand-check

The Best of the Flock

100% mulesing-free brands

"Black Sheep"

Brands which do not care!

Latest
Champions
& Updates

Help the Lambs!

You can make a difference

Get active as a brand

Become the brand you want to be proud of!

What is FOUR PAWS doing?

Our work to end mulesing?

FOUR PAWS Brand Ranking

Latest Champions & Updates

We are thrilled to announce that the following brands have made a phase-out commitment regrading mulesed wool.

What can I do as a consumer to protect lambs from mulesing?

Your tweet!

What can I do as a brand to protect lambs from mulesing?

What is FOUR PAWS doing to end mulesing?

100% mulesing-free brands

These brands are leading by example and showing that a transition towards fully certified mulesed-free wool is possible

More Information and Stories

Survey proves progress

towards a non-mulesed future and better sheep welfare in Australia

How progressive Suppliers help to End Mulesing

Interview with Willy Gallia, the Sustainability Manager, at G Schneider

How an Australian wool producing family successfully ended the painful practice of mulesing

Wind of change

Brands against Live Lamb Cutting (Mulesing)

Hope for stopping the cruel mutilation of merino lambs

Did you know?

Before humans intervened through breeding, sheep were mostly dark which helped them to camouflage in their environment. White sheep were a genetic exception that became highly prized because their wool is easier to dye.

The FOUR PAWS brand-check

100% mulesing-free brands

Brands which do not care!

You can make a difference

Become the brand you want to be proud of!

Our work to end mulesing?

FOUR PAWS Brand Ranking

What can I do as a consumer to protect lambs from mulesing?

Your tweet!

What can I do as a brand to protect lambs from mulesing?

What is FOUR PAWS doing to end mulesing?

towards a non-mulesed future and better sheep welfare in Australia

Interview with Willy Gallia, the Sustainability Manager, at G Schneider

Wind of change

Hope for stopping the cruel mutilation of merino lambs

Did you know?

Before humans intervened through breeding, sheep were mostly dark which helped them to camouflage in their environment. White sheep were a genetic exception that became highly prized because their wool is easier to dye.

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