What is Woolmark?
Whether you’re looking for a luxury merino scarf, or just everyday gloves to keep you warm, the Woolmark certification program allows you to identify when a product that is of highest authenticity and quality. At Robert Mackie of Scotland all of our pure new wool products are Woolmark certified 100% pure new wool, but what exactly is the Woolmark wool certification programme, and why do we do it?
The certification process has been created by Woolmark, the global authority on wool, to ensure consumers receive quality wool products. It involves rigorous testing of yarns, fabrics and garments by independent labs to ensure they meet the 5 standards that Woolmark have determined indicate wool quality and authenticity and make sure the wool and products stand the test of time.
Test 1: Wool Content
The first test of the wool certification process is to assess the properties and content of the wool to verify it is what it says it is.
Test 2: Colourfastness to Light
During this stage of the testing process the wool is exposed to extremely harsh light for up to 10 hours to ensure its colour lasts.
Test 3: Durability
Here the strength and lasting power of the wool is tested. It is pulled and stretched to its physical limits to test if its strength meets expectations. This part of the testing is very important as this stage indicates how your product will wear and last.
Test 4: Wash Testing
Wool is put through a rigorous and harsh wash to ensure no shrinkage or loss of shape.
Test 5: Colourfastness to Liquid
The final test falls off the back of the wash test and evaluates that the wool has not lost any of its colour after washing.
At the end of testing, all wool products that pass are categorised in to one of 3 categories:
Pure new wool – 100% new wool
Wool Rich Blend – 50-99.9% new wool
Wool Blend Performance – 30-49.9% new wool
At Robert Mackie, we are known for our luxury knitted lambswool accessories and have a reputation of our products always being high quality. This is why we see it not only beneficial, but important for us to work with Woolmark and their wool certification programme to ensure all of our pure new wool products meet their standards. In doing this, and using the Woolmark logo on our pure new wool products, our customers know that not only are our hats, scarves & gloves up to the Robert Mackie standard, but they meet the global standard of Woolmark certification, the ultimate gold seal for quality wool products.
Why work with Woolmark?
Have you ever wondered what it means when you see the Woolmark logo on a knitted product, such as one of our Mackie accessories?
Some people think it indicates that product is made of wool and not a synthetic material. Some that it is made of a specific wool such as lambswool, merino or Shetland. Others don’t really know. In reality, when you see the Woolmark logo on a product label on a knitted product it means it is Woolmark certified and the wool meets their high expectations on the quality and authenticity.
“But who or what is Woolmark?”
Woolmark is a global organisation and authority on wool – they represent a commitment between farmers, wool producers, brands and consumers on the authenticity and quality of the fibre that is produced and used. Committed to supporting the wool industry improve environmental and ethical practices, Woolmark also support positive change via research, education and collaboration.
At Robert Mackie, we believe in the work that Woolmark does and want to support in any way we can. This is why we are proud to have worked closely with them to certify our pure new wool products and been a Woolmark Licensee for a number of years.
“A global quality assurance programme”
The Woolmark certification programme is a quality assurance and certification scheme not only for wool textile manufacturers, but also for farmers and wool spinners within the supply chain. In order to become a Licensee a certification process must be undertaken which confirms the durability, washability, dye-fastness and fibre composition of wool used and the final product. (you can read more about that here)
Being a long-standing member of this programme means that on top of our own exceptionally high standards, we ensure that wherever possible our pure new wool products meet the Woolmark certified standards. So when you see the Woolmark logo on a Robert Mackie hat, scarf or pair of gloves, you then know that product is not only a quality, luxury Robert Mackie accessory, but has passed all Woolmark testing and quality standards for a 100% pure new wool.