About IWTO

Background

The International Wool Textile Organisation or IWTO (also known as the Federation Laniere Internationale) was established in 1928 as an arbitration body for the international trade of wool and wool products, and was born out of an arbitration agreement signed between the representative bodies of the British and French wool-textile industries in 1927.

IWTO soon realised that in order for contracts to be fully specified objective techniques for measuring wool characteristics and invoice weights were required, thereby minimising the likelihood of a dispute but also providing an objective basis for arbitration should a dispute arise. Consequently IWTO now plays a central role in fostering the development of internationally accepted Test Specifications for raw wool, wool sliver, yarns and fabrics.

Its primary objectives are:

• to maintain a permanent connection between the Wool Textile Organisations of member- countries;
• to represent the Wool Textile Trade and Industry in all branches of economic activity;
• to promote, support or oppose measures or activities affecting the trade and industry;
• to promote the study and solution of economic and commercial questions affecting the trade and industry;
• to ensure the functioning of the International Arbitration Agreement in the Wool Textile Trade and Industry;
• to collect and disseminate statistical and other information of interest to the Trade and Industry;
• to develop and maintain International Standards and Regulations for objectively measuring the characteristics of raw wool, wool sliver, yarns and fabrics.

Membership of IWTO is based on National Committees from member countries, each of which appoints delegates to attend each meeting. The membership of each National Committee is decided by the industry in the particular country it represents but it is normally based on representative organisations from different sectors of the industry within that country. However, in some cases private companies, as distinct from sectoral industry organisations, are also members of National Committees. And IWTO also offers Associate Membership to organisations or companies.

Until recently IWTO met twice each year. The main meeting was in April/May/June, and occurs in a different country each year, at the invitation of that country's National Committee. The second meeting was held in November. Due to the state of the industry the organisation now meets annually only.

Such events, attended by some 300 delegates, provide the forum for the the various committees established by IWTO to conduct their business, and for discussion and exchange between members on issues of interest to the industry, thereby making it possible to adopt convergent positions to overcome specific problems.

Structure of IWTO

The diagram below illustrates the Structure of IWTO. You can view an interactive version of this diagram by clicking here and following the instructions displayed.

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Supply & Demand Chain Groups

The various Committees that form the IWTO structure are divided into a Supply Chain group and a Demand Chain group, which together cover the complete pipeline of the wool textile industry (see below).

Supply meets Demand Zone Committee

In the Supply Meets Demand Zone Committee both groups come together via the committee/forum chairpersons (and other invited personnel) to share and discuss their work, thereby providing direct feedback between the two groups. This Committee also develops overall strategies for various activities of IWTO for consideration by the Assembly.

Market Intelligence Forum

This Forum supports the Supply and the Demand groups with regular updates and analysis concerning world wide markets relevant to the wool industry.

Supply Chain Group

These Committees and Forums in this group develop and maintain the technical and commercial documentation utilised by the various parties along the supply chain. These include:

Contracts & Specifications Committee

This Committee deals with the adoption of Test-Methods and Regulations and with the wording of the IWTO Arbitration and other international Agreements set out in the Blue Book. It also maintains IWTO regulations associated with wool measurement and trading. It examines the impact of any changes arising from technical meetings on commercial regulations and advises the IWTO Assembly.

Licensing Panel

IWTO Laboratory Licensing determines the circumstances under which IWTO Test Certificates may be issued. The Panel maintains a register of laboratories holding IWTO accreditation. The Licensing Panel provides the criteria required to issue IWTO Test Certificates for specific Test-Methods and Regulations to laboratories requesting licencing, and ensures that these criteria are met. This initiative gives enhanced credibility to wool testing.

Commercial Suppliers Forum

This is a traditionally active meeting, covering issues relating to the wool supply chain post farm gate to topmaking, spinning and weaving.

It does this by:

• providing a forum for growers to discuss wool production issues and for them to interact with traders and processors.
• discussing matters of direct concern to scourers, combers, topmakers, and woollen and worsted spinners and weavers.
• maintaining a dialogue with other IWTO Committees on yarn and cloth production, quality and demand; and
• examining the impact of any changes to technical standards on yarn & cloth manufacture and trade.

The Forum can provide advice to the Contracts & Specifications Committee on items placed before this Committee for decision and recommendation to the Assembly

Environment and Welfare Committee

Directly linked to the Commercial Suppliers Committee and rapidly growing in significance, this Committee monitors national and international environmental regulations set by Government and determines the impact on the wool industry. It advises the IWTO Assembly on appropriate actions to promote the wool industry in relation to environmental issues.

Technology & Standards Committee

This Committee co-ordinates the submission and circulation of technical reports and maintains the IWTO technical standardisation process.

Its objectives are:

• to provide a forum for exchanges between scientists, research workers and industrialists twice per year, so as to review existing wool knowledge and the progress made in different fields and to promote the practical application of this knowledge to the wool trade and industry;
• to develop efficient IWTO Test Methods having application within the wool textile industry, for approval by the Assembly;
• to develop Sampling & Certification Procedures and Regulations, governing the uniform application of Test Specifications in industry, for approval by the Assembly, subject to their recommendation by the Commercial Regulations Committee;
• to encourage interaction between the commercial and technical sectors of IWTO;
• to ensure that its structure and that of its Technical Groups facilitate the optimal use of available time during IWTO Conference / Meetings weeks.

The Technology & Standards Committee is the approving body for Draft Test Methods and for amendments to enhance existing IWTO Test Methods, which are deemed to be editorial clarifications only.

It is also the body, which recommends completed Specifications for formal adoption as full IWTO Test Methods, or for their relegation to a lesser status, to the Contracts and Specifications Committee.

The Terms of Reference governing the activities of the Committee can be viewed on the IWTO Website.

Steering Committee

The day-to-day operations of the Technology & Standards Committee are managed by a Steering Committee comprised of the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary-General, Technical Coordinator and the 4 Chairmen of the Technical Groups. The Immediate Past Chairman is an ex-officio non-voting Member for a maximum period of 2 years. This Steering Committee meets immediately prior to the first Technology & Standards Committee Meeting and it also conducts a Review Meeting prior to the final Meeting of the Technology & Standards Committee ie. the Standardisation Session.

Commercial Technology Forum

Organised by the Steering Committee this forum provides for presentation of Technical Reports on general issues of metrology, and on physical and chemical topics relating to research and development of industrial processes and/or applications of technology.

Commercial Technology Seminar

Also organised by the T&S Steering Committee this seminar provides for presentations from technology suppliers or associates covering new equipment or processes with application in the wool industry.

Raw Wool Group

Responsible for IWTO technical standards associated with greasy and commercially scoured wool.

Sliver Group

Responsible for IWTO technical standards associated with partially processed wool in the form of slivers.

Product Group

This group specialises in product specification.  The group is positioned to deal with technical issues surrounding products and the consumer at end of the demand pipeline that arise from the commercial committees.

Demand Chain Forums

These Committees analyse and interpret the different markets for wool.

Retail (Apparel) Club

The IWTO - Retail Club focuses on all activities at the level of marketing and retailing of wool products.  The Club is responsible for the input and exchange of know-how onmarketing and retailing with the other levels of the wool pipeline.

Interior Textiles Forum
 

The IWTO - Home Interiors Forum focuses on all activities at the level of marketing and retailing of all wool and wool-blend products related to the Home Interiors industry sector, such as carpets and home textiles. It represents the full supply chain of the sector in those specific matters to wool.  The Committee's brief also includes the Craft and Handknitting Sectors.

Technical Textiles Forum

This Forum bundles all know-how, information and activities of technical textiles related to wool.  This concerns especially the sectors of automotive, healthcare, apparel, aerospace, furnishings, toys and consumer products.

Other Committees

General Assembly

The General Assembly is IWTO’s sovereign body and meets at the end of every conference to present and formally endorse the decisions made by the various Committees meeting during the conference. As it is the closing forum it provides a summary and overview of the Congress, including industry announcements.

Heads of Delegation Council

This makes recommendations to the Assembly concerning full membership status of National Committees, recommends to the Assembly the dates and locations of future Meetings and International Wool Congresses, and sets the annual budget.

The Council's responsibiities include operational aspects, financial control of IWTO and examination of the function of IWTO and the future directions of the organisation.

The Heads of Delegation Council is composed of the Vice-President, the Past Presidents and the Members of the Executive Committee and chaired by the President of IWTO.

Executive Committee

Composed of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and three additional elected Members the Executive Committee administers the affairs and operations of the International Wool Textile Organisation and oversees its daily management in accordance with the Directives of the Assembly and the policy guidelines established by the Heads of Delegation Council.

Head Office/Director General

The day to day administration of IWTO is managed by the Director General with the assistance of some ancillary staff, from the organisation's Head Office located in Brussells.

Other Activities

Statistics

IWTO publishes yearly “Wool Statistics”, setting out detailed figures covering the different stages of the activity of the industry and “Global Wool Supplies” is our new publication offering information on the State of Trade in the Member-Countries and world-wide

Code of Practice (Quality Code for Wool Fabrics)

The IWTO - Code of Practice, with the brand sign “Super S”, is a new code for wool fabric identification. It is establishing a universally consistent set of fabric quality standards. The program is implemented by IWTO in collaboration with The Woolmark Company through the complete supply chain up to the consumer. It is open to all producers.

Young Managers Program

The Young Managers Program (YMP)was initiated in 2001 with the aim to provide a platform for young business people under age 40 in the wool textile industry.

The YMP strives to help its members through an array of learning and networking opportunities for young professionals under age 40 around the world. The YMP provides its members access to a dynamic network of peers on an international level.

Since the wool economy will rely more and more on entrepreneurial philosophies and practices, the YMP will continue to support its participants and their companies. It has been designed to provide a safe heaven for professionals of the wool textile industry to learn and grow. The YMP continues to educate its members by providing the resources and support needed to build better business within the industry.

World Wool Award

The purpose of International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) is to position and to value wool clearly in the consumer's mind as a material, which is desirable for its technical, ethical and comfortable values. To realise this IWTO wants to promote and support education in the textile sector as well as increase awareness of the unique properties of wool and wool blend products around the world by targeting selected textiles/ technical textiles/fashion/apparel/design universities, academies and schools and industry companies.

The World Wool Award is a worldwide event arousing international interest, able to celebrate wool, its charm and its future use in products/markets, especially leading to research and innovation. Projects receiving the award from IWTO should deal with matters of the wool sector, its fashion, marketing or innovation. A professional Jury with journalists, retailers, and entrepreneurs evaluates the projects.

The competition is open to young people between the age of 18 and 35 years. Students, trainees and young professionals from textile/fashion universities, academies and schools, companies and institutes all over the world are eligible to take part in this event.

International Student Exchange Programme

The International Student Exchange Programme, sponsored by AWI, is offered to students and employees from around the world. This project is aimed at strengthening links between wool industry and education institutions by enabling young talented people to undertake industrial and academic placements in companies or organisations active in the wool sector, especially dealing with Australian wool. Successful applicants will be offered a 3-6 months traineeship in one of the companies or organisations that are active across the wool pipeline from sheep to shop. The location of the traineeship will be relevant to the participants' educational profile and preference.