Sustainable Fibre Alliance

What Sustainable Fibre Alliance does

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) is a UK-registered non-profit standards-holding and membership organization (Charity Number 1165742) founded in 2015 by Una Jones and Batkhishig Baival. It develops and operates the first global standards system for sustainable cashmere and animal fibre production, anchored by three normative instruments: the SFA Animal Fibre Standard (five principles: Effective Management, Decent Work, Biodiversity & Land Use, Animal Welfare, Fibre Quality Improvement), the SFA Chain of Custody Standard for traceability, and the SFA Clean Fibre Processing Standard covering primary processing. SFA holds ISEAL Community Member status and operates across Mongolia, China, Afghanistan and the United Kingdom, connecting nomadic herder cooperatives with global fashion brands and retailers.

The organisation's technical core is an audited assurance model implemented through trained Conformity Assessment Bodies and assessors, supplemented by training programmes and a Results Reporting Framework for monitoring and evaluation. Membership spans 80+ companies across 13 countries, with reach covering 17 provinces of Mongolia, 8 regions of China, 16,000+ Mongolian herder households, 15,000 Chinese farms, and over 1,500 tonnes of fibre traced. Principal commercial offerings include the membership programme, certification and Chain of Custody services, training sessions, and the annual Natural Fibre Connect conference alongside sister events (SFA Mongolia Conference, SFA Cashmere Conference in Biella, SNF Global Conference). The SFA Threads traceability platform, due to launch in 2026, will move assurance data from manual capture to a digital, end-to-end record from raw material to finished product.

Revenue is generated via a hybrid of recurring membership subscriptions, certification and Chain of Custody participation fees, paid training, conference sponsorship (tiers from Supporter at $1,500 to Platinum at $24,000), and grant funding from agencies such as the Global Environment Facility, UNDP and the UK government. Operations are delivered through roughly 22 staff split between the UK headquarters and the Mongolia country office in Ulaanbaatar, with a partnership vehicle (SFA International CIC) and an in-country partnership with ICCAW in China. Founding support from Johnstons of Elgin, Burberry and Kering Group, plus current board representation from LVMH, Loro Piana, Erdos, John Lewis Partnership and RSPCA International, anchor the enterprise-tier positioning of the membership base.

Name

Sustainable Fibre Alliance

Legal name

Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA)

Website

https://sustainablefibre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance is a UK-registered non-profit standards organization founded in 2015 that develops global certification standards for cashmere and animal fibre, connecting Mongolian and Chinese herder cooperatives to luxury brands and retailers through membership and audit-based assurance programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Standards and Certification

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circularity Compliance, Traceability & Certification Services (EPR/Product Passports/Chain-of-Custody) (IMAOAMAJ), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI), Sustainable & Certified Materials (Organic, Recycled, Traceable) (CRAAAMAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable cashmere certification
• Animal fibre standards
• Supply chain traceability
• Responsible sourcing standards
• Natural fibre sustainability

Headquarters

HQ city

Wales

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: SFA operates as a membership organization. Companies join as members to demonstrate responsible sourcing to buyers and access certification programmes. Annual membership fees support the organization's operations.
2. Certification Fees: Certification programmes for herders, cooperatives, and processors including SFA Animal Fibre Standard certification and Chain of Custody certification.
3. Chain of Custody Participation: Non-members can register as Chain of Custody Participants for a small annual fee to trade in SFA-certified cashmere.
4. Training Programmes: Training sessions and workshops for members and industry stakeholders on standards implementation and sustainable production practices.
5. Conference and Event Organization: SFA organizes Natural Fibre Connect conference and other events, generating revenue through sponsorship packages at various levels (Platinum $24,000, Gold $12,000, Silver $6,000, Bronze $3,000, Supporter $1,500).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance develops and operates global sustainability standards, certification programmes, and traceability solutions for the cashmere and natural fibre supply chain. Its core offerings include the SFA Animal Fibre Standard, SFA Chain of Custody Standard, and SFA Clean Fibre Processing Standard, which collectively cover responsible fibre production, supply chain traceability, and primary processing assurance for supply chain companies, processors, and herding communities. These standards are delivered through a membership programme and third-party Conformity Assessment Bodies, complemented by training, the SFA Threads traceability platform (in development), and the Natural Fibre Connect conference.

Product overview

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) operates a portfolio of standards and certification programmes for the cashmere and natural fibre industry. The core offering includes the SFA Animal Fibre Standard, SFA Chain of Custody Standard, and SFA Clean Fibre Processing Standard, which together provide end-to-end assurance for responsible fibre production. The SFA Threads traceability platform (under development) will enable digital tracking from raw materials to final product. Additional services include membership programmes, training sessions, and the annual Natural Fibre Connect conference. The organisation connects livestock herders in Mongolia and China with brands and retailers in the global fashion industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SFA Threads: A traceability platform currently in development, due to launch later this year, for supply chain traceability.
• SFA Animal Fibre Standard
• Natural Fibre Connect (NFC)

Products and services

• SFA Animal Fibre Standard Global standard outlining five principles for responsible cashmere and animal fibre production (Effective Management, Decent Work, Biodiversity & Land Use, Animal Welfare, and Fibre Quality Improvement). Used by brands, retailers, processors, and herder organisations to demonstrate responsible production practices.
• SFA Chain of Custody Standard Standard ensuring supply chain transparency and traceability, verifying product origin from raw materials through to final product. Operates globally along the full supply chain for trade in SFA-certified cashmere.
• SFA Clean Fibre Processing Standard Standard covering primary processing of cashmere and animal fibres, ensuring clean and sustainable processing practices at the processing stage of the supply chain.
• SFA Threads Traceability platform currently under development to enable supply chain transparency, allowing processors to enter information, maintain records, and report on data from raw materials through to final product.
• SFA Membership Programme Membership programme for supply chain companies committed to sustainable cashmere and natural fibres sector transformation, offering benefits including certification access and market visibility.
• Natural Fibre Connect Annual international conference bringing together alpaca, cashmere, mohair, and wool industries to advance sustainability, innovation and ethics. Hosted jointly by multiple natural fibre organisations.
• SFA Training Sessions Online training sessions with the SFA team covering standards implementation, sustainable production practices, and supply chain transparency. Open to members, Chain of Custody Participants, and industry stakeholders.
• SFA Certification Services Third-party certification of herders, cooperatives, and processors against the SFA standards, delivered through trained Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). Covers Animal Fibre Standard, Chain of Custody, and Clean Fibre Processing certifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 160,000+ herders and community members supported across Mongolia and Inner Mongolia
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• International Cooperation Committee for Animal Welfare (ICCAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ICCAW in China for goat welfare standards, cross-border knowledge exchanges, and co-organization of the SNF Global Conference. SFA x ICCAW Goat Welfare Code launched. ICCAW hosted knowledge exchange programme for SFA Mongolia team.
• Khan BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated Mongolia's first Green Loan programme for herder cooperatives. Low-interest financing supports climate resilience enabling herders to invest in fodder, winter shelters, veterinary care, or improved grazing management. Preferential loans provided to certified herding families and cooperatives.
• Natural Fibre Connect (NFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the Natural Fibre Connect annual conference for alpaca, cashmere, mohair, and wool industries. Partnership with International Alpaca Association, Mohair South Africa, The Schneider Group. SFA participates in sessions and hosts member events.
• Schneider GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Natural Fibre Connect conference. Partnership with over 1M hectares of wool farms in Argentina. Organized Wool Connect which evolved into Natural Fibre Connect.
• Cashmere & Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of SFA Cashmere Conference in Biella and SNF Global Conference. Partnership for cashmere industry sustainability initiatives.
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFA contributes to UNCCD COP16 and COP17. Partner in Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC). Contributed to Land Day events and calls for private sector commitments for sustainable land management.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFA participates in International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) coordinated by FAO. Badi Besbes, Chief of Sustainable Animal Production at FAO, spoke at UK Parliamentary Reception.
• Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFA CEO Una Jones serves as Executive Director of RSC. Multi-stakeholder platform advancing responsible rangeland management. Partners include UNCCD, ICRAF, NFC, GEF, IUCN, European Commission.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GEF-funded STELARR project for sustainable investments in large-scale rangeland restoration. Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General, participated in UK Parliamentary Reception.
• Global Environment Facility (GEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEF-funded STELARR project (Sustainable Investments for Large-Scale Rangeland Restoration) implemented by IUCN and executed by ILRI, with SFA as implementing partner.
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecuting partner for GEF-funded STELARR project on rangeland restoration. Fiona Flintan, Senior Scientist on Rangelands & Pastoralism, participates in RSC sessions.
• RSPCA InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaul Littlefair, Head of RSPCA International, serves on SFA Board. Supported integration of animal welfare standards into CSR policies. Worked with SFA on codes of practice for Mongolia and China since 2015.
• Textile ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Rhea Pepper, CEO of Textile Exchange, spoke at Natural Fibre Connect 2022. SFA shares Life Cycle Assessment project updates. Collaboration on responsible sourcing policies.
• Government of MongoliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mongolian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MoFALI). Co-organised consultative meetings on wool, cashmere, and leather supply chains. Government supports SFA training and certification programmes.
• ADAPT ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFA collaborated with ADAPT Project and MoFALI to co-organise stakeholder consultation meeting. ADAPT Project targets provinces of Khovd, Zavkhan, Dornod, and Sukhbaatar.
• Loro PianacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner5-year Resilient Threads Project partnership launched with Loro Piana and key partners to empower cashmere herders. Loro Piana hosted factory tour at SNF Conference.
• Johnstons of ElgincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member since 2015. Board representation through Chimaeze Onyeiwu. Chris Gaffney, CEO, presented at SNF Global Conference 2024 on sustainability journey towards 100% certified cashmere.
• BurberrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding support provided in 2015 along with Johnstons of Elgin and Kering Group.
• Kering GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding support provided in 2015 along with Johnstons of Elgin and Burberry.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Better Cotton Initiative: Largest fibre sustainability standard globally, focused on cotton. Operates as a multi-stakeholder non-profit in a structurally identical model to SFA, serving the same fashion-brand buyers and competing for their sustainability budget allocations.
• Fairtrade International: Global non-profit certification and producer-support organisation for ethical supply chains across multiple commodities. Closely parallels SFA's hybrid model of ethical certification, producer/herder support and brand-facing claims.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Mature non-profit certification body with ISEAL full membership, providing chain-of-custody and material certification. Relevant as a structural analogue — and as the benchmark SFA references when designing its own Chain of Custody standard.

Others

• Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI): Industry association of cashmere and camel hair manufacturers, co-organiser of SFA's Cashmere Conference in Biella. Industry-infrastructure peer rather than direct competitor, but shares brand-side relationships and convening function in the cashmere value chain.
• RSPCA Assured: Animal welfare certification scheme run by the RSPCA, whose international arm (RSPCA International) sits on the SFA Board. Comparable as a UK-rooted non-profit assurance brand, and overlapping where animal welfare claims are concerned.

Emerging players

• ZDHC Foundation: Drives zero-discharge-of-hazardous-chemicals standards across the textile and footwear industry. Collaborates with SFA through the Standard Setting Improvement Committee and addresses overlapping brand sustainability procurement requirements.
• Bluesign Technologies: Provides sustainability certification for textile manufacturing processes and chemical management. Adjacent but overlapping with SFA's Clean Fibre Processing Standard in certifying responsible processing practices for downstream fashion brands.
• Canopy: Non-profit focused on protecting forests through sustainable fibre sourcing initiatives (CanopyStyle, Pack4Good). Operates in adjacent man-made cellulosic and forest-fibre space and shares the ISEAL-aligned multi-stakeholder standards model with SFA.

Direct peers

• Textile Exchange: Non-profit materials organisation that operates the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Mohair Standard and Recycled Claim Standard — the closest analogue to SFA's role as a multi-stakeholder natural-fibre standard setter. Both organisations serve overlapping fashion-brand members seeking credible fibre sustainability certifications.
• Aid by Trade Foundation / Good Cashmere Standard: Operates the Good Cashmere Standard, the most direct competitor to SFA's cashmere certification. Targets the same Mongolian and Chinese cashmere supply base and similar downstream brands, competing head-to-head for membership and certified volume.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sfacashmere
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCV5GLEAYj2R6aPi5sOruomw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-fibre-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/sfacashmere

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Fibre Alliance