ZQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANIMALS
What is a Merino?
Merino a breed of sheep, thought to be the oldest breed of sheep in the WORLD. Famous for its fine, soft wool and its ability to thrive in extreme climates, like the high country of New Zealand, the outback of Australia, the plains of South Africa or the mountainous terrain of South America. .
Merino products are world-renowned for natural luxury, quality and performance. You can spot a merino sheep by their wrinkly skins and fleeces, pink noses, and the rams (male sheep) often – but not always – have big curly horns.
What about other sheep?
Merinos make up less than 10% of all the sheep in New Zealand with the rest of the sheep producing strong wool. Strong wool producing sheep can be a variety of breeds, some of the common ones include Romney, Suffolk, Texel, and composites.
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Strong wool has the same amazing properties; it doesn’t smell, it biodegrades, it is fire retardant, but due to the coarser nature of the fibre, it is scratchier against the skin, and is typically used for carpets, rugs and upholstery.
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How are ZQ animals treated?
Our growers rely on their animals for their livelihood, so it’s vital they provide and care for their livestock in the best way they can. Healthy, happy sheep make the best fibre after all! ZQ sheep are grazed in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote grassland areas and are free to roam in extensive conditions throughout the year.
The ZQ programme requires growers to provide these five basic freedom requirements;
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Freedom from thirst or hunger
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Freedom from pain or distress
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Freedom from injury or disease
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Freedom from discomfort or inadequate shelter
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Freedom to display normal patterns of behaviour
Every ZQ certified grower adheres to the​ requirements laid out in the ZQ Grower Standard.
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Are ZQ sheep mulesed?
Nope. Mulesing is not permitted on properties that supply ZQ wool. Growers have adopted integrated strategies to manage the risk of flystrike, without mulesing.
ZQ Natural Fibre has led the world, being the first accredited wool fibre that guarantees mulesing does not occur.
Does mulesing still occur on farms?
We're happy to report New Zealand officially banned the practice of mulesing on the 1st October 2018.
For more information, please contact the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
There are other countries around the world that still practise mulesing, so it pays to check where your wool is coming from. Luckily, with ZQ, you can be assured no mulesing occurs - even from countries that still condone the practice.
Are sheep harmed in the process of harvesting wool?
ZQ Natural Fibre is harvested through a process called shearing. It's like getting a 'number 4' haircut!
Shearers are highly skilled people and pride themselves on careful handling of the sheep. They leave a good covering of wool on the sheep, to keep them warm. Machine shears are the most popular tool for shearing, as they are fast and efficient, for minimal stress on the animal. Prior to shearing commencing, ZQ growers work with their shearing contractors and team to ensure that appropriate planning and preparation has taken place to minimise stress.
Sheep have been bred for thousands of years to grow wool, therefore shearing is not just about harvesting wool - it's also about keeping the animals comfortable, relieving them from having to endure the hot summer months with a heavy fleece.
All ZQ properties are third party audited, including random audits during the shearing season.
When does shearing happen?
Timing of shearing must be appropriate for the breed of sheep and their environment, including weather conditions.
Most Merino growers in New Zealand shear once a year and this main shear will normally take place sometime between August and November, to ensure the sheep still have their woolly coats for the winter months.
Depending on the farm, strong wool growers may shear once or twice a year (or in some situations, every 8 months).
How long do sheep live for?
Most Merino sheep will live between 6-8 years in the high country before their quality of life starts to diminish. As the sheep age, their health is closely monitored and typically by 7-8 years they will be either sold to other farms in lower, easier farmland or sold to the meat industry to be processed for consumption. It is essential that, even in this instance, the sheep are treated humanely.
Therefore, we have strict transport and handling protocols. This is audited by an independent, 3rd party auditor.
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What auditing takes place?
See the Audits section below.
ENVIRONMENT
What is the environment like where the sheep live?
That depends on which country the sheep live in. Most of ZQ Natural Fibre comes from New Zealand. Our merino sheep thrive in the high-country conditions of the mountainous South Island. This is because it’s drier in the high lands, merino’s like it dry underfoot. They’re also naturally foraging feeders and enjoy a tussock environment. Sheep producing a coarser fibre do well on lower lands and can be found all over the country.
What kind of standards are there for the land?
Our growers are required to have a Land Environmental Plan, which helps them establish ways they can sustain their individual property, to protect it for today and generations to come. Many growers have their own environmental projects and are passionate about the natural landscape that they call home.
PEOPLE
Who are the people behind ZQ?
ZQ Natural Fibre is available exclusively through The New Zealand Merino Company and our selected supply chain partners. You won’t find ZQ on the auction market. ZQ started in 2007, in Christchurch, NZ and is sourced through direct supply contracts, priced to ensure the economic stability of our growers, supply chain partners and retail brands.
What is ZQ’s social responsibility?
Sustainable farming is closely linked with the social and economic welfare of farmers, farming families, farm workers and their local communities. ZQ promotes safe and healthy workplaces, fair wages, and our growers have access to income stability through our forward contract model. For more about what we ask of our partners, take a gander at our supply chain code of conduct.
How do you select ZQ growers?
Our growers are audited on a regular basis and adhere to the ZQ Grower Standard. When a new grower comes on board, an initial audit is carried out to assess their farming systems. We then work with the grower to help identify improvements their farm may need to carry out, within certain timeframes, before they qualify as ZQ material, and therefore have access to branded contracts.
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Is ZQ an NGO?
ZQ is a wool certification, developed and owned by The New Zealand Merino Company Ltd. which is a commercial company. All ZQ auditing is done by third party services.
WOOL
How can I buy ZQ wool?
If it’s ZQ Natural Fibre you’re after, you’ve come to the right place! We help set long-term, forward contracts for 1-year supply, through to 10 years, delivering beautifully scoured ZQ wool tops. If you’re feeling the connection, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today!
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How can I buy RWS wool?
If it’s RWS certified fibre you’re looking for, then great news! We are one of the largest supplier of RWS wool in the world and would love to learn more about your interest in RWS and your future business needs. RWS is available outside of contract on the commodity market. Contact us today!
I want to start a business. Where can I buy ZQ fabrics or yarns for making stuff?
We work with a lot of ZQ supply chain partners that also like making stuff – from fabrics to yarns, to clothing to carpets. Drop us a line and share a bit about yourself, your business and vision. We can help hook you up with the best partners in the business. Contact us today!
What makes ZQ fibre such high-quality?
Great question. It really comes down to the people and animals that create it. Our growers comply with the ZQ Grower Standard, where standards are upheld with pride. The standards demand the best from our growers in animal welfare (think healthy, well fed sheep!), and environmental practice, resulting in strong, white, long staple fibre that’s fit for the market it’s grown for. Each fleece is hand selected. Every single one. Which means a highly skilled ‘classer’ or wizard of wool, inspects the fibre’s quality and assesses whether it meets the contract specification or not. That way you know you’re only getting the wool quality you ask for, and no floor sweepings.
How do you harvest your wool?
Wool is collected by shearing a sheep. It’s like a number four haircut but for sheep. This is usually carried out once a year, in early springtime, to ensure they still have their woolly coats for the cold winter months. Shearers are highly skilled and pride themselves on careful handling of the sheep. Shearing can be done by machine clippers or blade shears. Machine shears are the most popular because of their speed and efficiency. Some ZQ properties still blade shear, which is good for leaving extra wool cover if the farm is in a colder climate.
After hundreds of years of breeding and producing wool, shearing sheep is also about keeping the animals comfortable, relieving them from having to endure the hot summer months with a heavy fleece.
Isn't wool all scratchy and prickly?
Maybe the stuff your grandma used to knit (sorry, nan!). There are different types of thicknesses for wool, measured in ‘micron’. Merino wool is very fine and soft, starting at around 12 micron and getting up to 24 micron. That prickly jumper was probably made from coarser microns such as 27 and above, normally reserved for home textiles and carpets. To put things into perspective, human hair is around 60 micron.
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Why is ZQ wool this miracle fibre everyone is talking about?
We’re so glad you asked! ZQ Natural Fibre is naturally technical; it moves moisture away from the skin, adapts to warm or cool you according to the conditions, protects you from the sun, is flame resistant, and resists the build-up of odour. Oh, and it’s super soft. Check out the ZQ performance page where we geek out about wool even more.
NETWORK SNAPSHOT
1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021
For more recent and in depth information on the network, access our latest ESG Impact Report.
718
ZQ Certified Growers throughout our network at 30 June 2021*
8,537
Tonnes of ZQ Clean Wool sold during FY21
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152
New Growers welcomed onto the ZQ programme in FY21
* These figures do not include a number of Growers that have signed up to the ZQ programme during FY21, who are awaiting audit or have corrective actions to close.
AUDITS
Who does the auditing for ZQ?
ZQ farms are audited on a regular basis by a third party Certified Accreditation Body (CAB). We currently use Control Union.
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Who is Control Union?
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Control Union Certifications Australia is an independent, internationally operating Certification Body. With its foundation in agriculture, Control Union Certifications has focused its efforts in developing services around the sustainability of the industry's supply chains which feed into the food, feed, forestry, biomass, bioenergy, social compliance and textiles markets. Control Union Australia Pty Ltd is privately owned and registered in Australia, with over 4000 employees and 'boots on the ground' in more than 70 countries, Control Union Certifications is uniquely placed to manage challenges with today's global marketplace.
Control Union Certifications keeps sustainability as a core focus, both now and in the future. Sustainability begins in the field and is present at every step in the supply chain. Understanding how sustainability is intertwined with how food, bioenergy and textiles are produced and brought to market provides Control Union Certifications with a unique ability to address the sustainability challenges of farmers and businesses alike to ensure their future.
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Control Union Certifications obtains and maintains the highest level of integrity through its accreditations from numerous government and industry organisations, ensuring our services and certificates are at the highest level.
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Control Union Certifications is accredited by:
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National accreditation bodies, including the Dutch RvA (I192, C412, C490, C499) or the Sri Lankan SLAB (CP 004-01), DakkS
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Industry accreditation organisations: ASI (ASI-ACC-017), German Accreditation Body, DAkkS
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
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EU - REGULATION EEC
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ISO 14065, ISO 9001, EN-ISO/IEC 17025 (laboratory)
Certificates issued by Control Union are accepted by all major markets and industries. With a large number of programs, Control Union Certifications aims to maintain the trust and confidence of its customers and other stakeholders.
To achieve this goal and maintain its reputation as a leading certification body, Control Union Certifications has a global quality management system that is constantly reviewed, both internally and externally, by numerous national and international accreditation bodies.
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The quality management system is based on ISO/IEC 17020:2012, ISO/IEC 17065:2012, ISO/IEC 14065:2013 and ISO/IEC 17021:2015 and the associated annexes.
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Control Union Certifications offers a one-stop-shop for a wide range of quality and sustainability certification programs, thereby reducing costs and improving efficiency for farms, brands and suppliers worldwide including Australia and New Zealand. For a complete list of programs offered, please see their website.
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For more information regarding Control Union or the standards that they audit to, refer to https://certifications.controlunion.com/en
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How often are growers audited?
Normally every three years if things are going well. Our audits help identify improvements the farm may need to carry out, within certain timeframes, and if changes need to be made, audits will be stepped up to ensure these changes are put in place for good.
Do you audit other brands in the supply chain too?
ZQ is an on-farm standard and certifies growers to produce and grow wool in an ethical, sustainable practice. The ZQ Grower Standard does not extend to certification beyond the farm gate, though we work with many long-term partners within the supply chain, who align with ZQ values and adhere to our Rules of Engagement agreement.
TRACEABILITY
AUDIT SNAPSHOT
1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021
449
3rd Party Audits completed in FY21 throughout our network
ZQ5.0
Launched in New Zealand and Australia in FY21*
RWS
RWS & ZQ requirements are addressed through a combined audit process.†
* An updated accreditation programme to reflect a lift in requirements to comply as part of ZQ's ethos of continual improvement.
† All farms accredited to ZQ5.0 are also RWS accredited.
Is ZQ just New Zealand wool?
Though ZQ started in the land of the long white cloud (that’s New Zealand by the way) the ZQ programme is definitely a way of life, of farming ethically, and it’s not just kiwi farmers that believe in producing wool in a more sustainable way. ZQ wool is sourced from certified growers mostly from New Zealand, as well as Australia, Argentina and South Africa. All to the same ZQ Grower Standard, just slightly different landscapes (and lingo).
Where are the ZQ growers based?
ZQ Natural Fibre is sourced from certified growers mostly from New Zealand and you can check out our grower map for specific locations in the On Farm page. ZQ certified wool is also sourced from Australia, Argentina and South Africa.
How do I know my garment is actually ZQ Natural Fibre?
Good question and we like your drive for authenticity! We work with ZQ partners throughout the supply chain, with back to back contracts ensuring that the ZQ Natural Fibre the scour sold will make x amount of yarn, which will make x amount of fabric, and so on. We can trace back from the garment, right through to the growers the fibre came from. We pride ourselves on the relationships we have our partners, some which span decades, and only partner with those that align with our values and share a similar vision for authenticity and sustainability.
What happens after the wool leaves the farm?
Back in the day, the farmer would wave goodbye to their wool as the bales went out the door, never to be seen again. With ZQ, our growers know where their wool goes, and they’re proud to wear and use the products! Being able to produce wool for a specific purpose adds a greater sense of achievement. All ZQ bales are sent from the grower to our wool store, where they are logged, tested and sampled, to ensure quality and spec, before being sent on their merry way to the next stage of the supply chain.
GOT A BURNING QUESTION?
The ZQ Grower Standard continues to push boundaries and challenge existing farm practice.
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We review and update the ZQ Grower Standard regularly, incorporating learnings from our on-farm research and development work.
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It's a continual process and the work is never done! If you've got a question that wasn't answered in our FAQs above, odds are you're not the only one.
Send us a message on our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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Have a complaint or feedback? Please use the form on our contact page and select "I have a complaint" in the drop-down menu.
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NZM Complaints process:
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1. Complaint received
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2. Acknowledgement of complaint within 2 business days
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3. NZM internally investigate complaint (led by Head of CSR)
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4. Outcome decided after investigation completed
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5. Contact made with responder on the outcome of the complaint
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