Test Certificates and the Wool classer

TEST CERTIFICATION AND THE REGISTERED WOOL CLASSER

From 1st January 2008, the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) regulations defining the Wool Preparation Category on a Test Certificate were modified to reflect the wool classing status of each line of Australian wool.

  • P Certificate: Australian wool from an individual grower comprising bales from one clip that is classed on farm by a Registered Wool Classer (or in store by a Registered Classing House), that meets or exceeds the preparation principles in this COP, will be assigned a Wool Preparation Category of “P” on the associated sale lot Test Certificate.
  • D Certificate: Australian wool that is from an individual grower and not prepared by a Registered Wool Classer, or not prepared to the COP preparation standards, or fails the (Scale 3) preparation principles of the COP will be assigned a Wool Preparation Category of “D” on the associated sale lot Test Certificate.

If an owner/manager (or contractor) does not use a Registered Wool Classer to prepare a clip, or the wool is poorly prepared, the implications are:

  • The sale lot is assigned a Wool Preparation Category of “D” on the Test Certificate.
  • The Wool Preparation Category “D” is published in the Sale Catalogue.
  • Competition may be decreased as some buyers do not bid on Category “D” wool (under instruction from their company and/or processor).
  • Price discounts are likely to be applied at sale.
  • The sale lot(s) cannot be combined into a pre- or post-sale Objectively Matched Lot (OML).