RAF Audit Preparation: Pass Your Certification Audit 2026

Last updated: July 2026

Understanding RAF Certification Audits

RAF certification audits are conducted by independent third-party certification bodies accredited under the Textile Exchange assurance system. The audit framework follows the RAF Certification Procedures (RAF-102-V2.1, effective August 1, 2021) and the ASR-101 Accreditation and Certification Procedures for Textile Exchange Standards.

Audit Types (D2.5)

Audit Type	Purpose	Frequency
Initial Audit	First-time certification; full assessment against all standard requirements	Once
Surveillance Audit	Annual re-assessment to maintain certification	Annual (B3.5.2)
Unannounced Visit	Additional confirmation without notice (B3.5.3)	As needed by CB

Non-Conformity Levels (A2)

RAF standards use a four-level non-conformity system. Understanding these levels is critical for audit preparation:

Level	Code	Consequence	Closure Time
Critical	C	Immediate certificate suspension or denial	180 days (new evaluation)
Major	Ma	Certificate not issued/reissued if open	30 days
Minor	Mi	Remains certified; upgraded to Major if not closed	60 days
Recommendation	R	Best practice; no effect on certification	N/A (audited and recorded)

7-Step Audit Preparation Plan

Step 1: Understand the Standard Requirements (8-12 weeks before audit)

Download and review the relevant RAF standard document (RWS RAF-101a-V2.2, RMS RAF-101b-V1.2, or RAS RAF-101c-V1.0) from ResponsibleWool.org, ResponsibleMohair.org, or ResponsibleAlpaca.org. Identify all requirements applicable to your farm or supply chain site, paying special attention to Critical (C) and Major (Ma) level requirements.

Step 2: Appoint a Certification Team

Designate a certification coordinator and team members responsible for different sections: animal welfare (AW), land management (LM), social welfare (SW), and chain of custody (CoC). Ensure all team members understand their roles and the standard requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Documentation

Compile all required documents organized by standard section:

Section	Required Documents	Common Pitfalls
AW1 Nutrition	Feeding plan, feed records, water source testing, body condition scoring records	Missing BCS records, no emergency feed plan
AW2 Living Environment	Shelter inspection records, biosecurity plan, waste management records	No biosecurity measures documented
AW3 Animal Management	Veterinary plan, treatment records, shearing protocols, pain management records	No veterinary health plan, missing treatment records
AW4 Handling/Transport	Transport records, handling procedures, journey logs, water/rest provisions	Incomplete transport documentation
AW5 Management Plans	Farm management plan, emergency procedures, training records	No training records, outdated plans
LM1-4 Land Management	Soil conservation plan, biodiversity records, fertilizer/pesticide records (R level)	Not applied pending; R level requirement
SW1-7 Social Welfare	Employment contracts, wage records, working hours, H&S training, child labor verification	Missing contracts, unpaid wages, no H&S training

Step 4: Train Staff (4-6 weeks before audit)

Provide training on RAF requirements to all relevant personnel, including farm workers, animal handlers, shearing teams, and administrative staff. Key training topics include: animal welfare handling procedures, body condition scoring (AW1.3.1), health and safety protocols (SW7), and record-keeping requirements. Document all training sessions with attendance records.

Step 5: Conduct Internal Pre-Audit (2-4 weeks before audit)

Perform a thorough internal audit covering all standard sections. Review documentation completeness, verify on-farm practices against AW/LM/SW criteria, and interview staff to confirm they understand standard requirements. Identify potential non-conformities and create a corrective action plan before the official audit.

Step 6: Audit Day Readiness

On audit day, ensure the following:

• All documentation is organized and accessible
• Key personnel are available for interviews (farm manager, animal handler, HR representative)
• Farm facilities are clean and well-maintained
• Animals are in their normal environment (do not alter routines for audit)
• Biosecurity measures are communicated to the auditor (B3.3)
• A quiet room is available for documentation review and interviews

Step 7: Corrective Actions and Follow-Up

If non-conformities are identified during the audit, address them promptly within the required deadlines: 30 days for Major (Ma) non-conformities, 60 days for Minor (Mi). Critical (C) non-conformities require immediate action and a new evaluation within 180 days. Work with your certification body to submit evidence of closure and schedule follow-up verification if needed.

Common Non-Conformities and How to Avoid Them

Common NC	Section	Prevention Tip
Incomplete body condition scoring records	AW1.3	Schedule regular BCS assessments and maintain a logbook
No veterinary health plan	AW3	Develop a written health plan with a veterinarian
Missing employment contracts or wage records	SW1/SW5	Ensure all workers have signed contracts and wage records are maintained
No health and safety training records	SW7	Conduct regular H&S training and maintain attendance records
Inadequate feed or water records	AW1.1	Maintain daily feed and water supply logs

Audit Preparation Timeline

Time Before Audit	Action Items
8-12 weeks	Study standard, appoint team, conduct gap analysis
6-8 weeks	Compile documentation, implement required practices
4-6 weeks	Staff training, begin record-keeping
2-4 weeks	Internal pre-audit, identify and fix gaps
1 week	Final review, facility preparation, team briefing
Audit Day	Opening meeting, site tour, document review, staff interviews, closing meeting

Supply Chain Site Audit Preparation

For supply chain sites (processors, manufacturers, traders) beyond the farm, the audit focuses on chain-of-custody requirements under Section G of the RAF standards. Key preparation areas include:

• CCS compliance: Ensure your chain-of-custody system meets Content Claim Standard requirements, including material segregation, mass balance records, and TC management
• Transaction Certificates: Verify all incoming and outgoing TCs are properly issued and archived
• Label release: Ensure all product labels have been approved via the label release form process (B2.1.1d)
• Subcontractor management: Any outsourced processing must be covered by your scope certificate
• Record keeping: Maintain complete records as required by the certification body

FAQ: RAF Audit Preparation

Conclusion

Passing your RAF certification audit requires thorough preparation, a clear understanding of the standard requirements, and a well-organized documentation system. By following the 7-step preparation plan, understanding the non-conformity levels, and addressing common pitfalls in advance, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful first-time certification.

Remember that RAF certification is an ongoing commitment — annual surveillance audits and possible unannounced visits mean that continuous compliance is essential. Build robust management systems, train your team well, and maintain thorough records throughout the year.