Update on PIC Declaration Mandate

As previously advised, updates to the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) Core Test Regulations which mandate PIC declarations on grower farm lots are to be enforced by Wool Industries Australia (WIA), through AWTA’s testing and certification services effective 1st January 2026. Hence, when Broker’s or Selling Agents transmit sale lot and bale details to AWTA as part of the presale testing process, a PIC must be supplied for:

• All Grower Lots (Wool Preparation Category = P, D, F): ie. At least one valid PIC must be provided for each lot
• All Interlots (Wool Preparation Category = I): ie. At least one valid PIC must be provided for each of the component sublots
• Optional Bulk Classed Lots (Wool Preparation Category = B, Q): ie. Status unchanged - PIC declarations are encouraged but not mandatory

The above changes simply expand on the previous voluntary declaration process that has been in place since 2019, by making most PIC declarations to AWTA compulsory. However, as Brokers commence this transition it is apparent that confusion still exists as to the wider application of this change, particularly in relation to the utilisation and sharing of PIC within Australian Wool Traceability Hub (AWTH).The primary need for acquiring and storing growers PIC in AWTA’s systems is to underpin the Wool Industry Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) response through the AUSVETPLAN. As such;

1. PICs stored in AWTA’s certificate database are NOT printed on AWTA Test certificates nor included in the transmitted test certificate data;
2. PICs are only replicated between AWTA’s certificate database and the AWTH platform with the express written permission of the Broker/ Agent; and
3. PICs are not shared within the AWTH without permission, as subscribers have controls to manage the sharing of data (that are disabled by default). At present this sharing only occurs between a broker and their grower, so PICs cannot be passed further down the supply chain within the AWTH.

These processes have been rigorously defined and followed since the inception of the AWTH and will remain in place during the transition to mandatory PIC declaration.

Download: Fact Sheet - Changes to the declaration of Property Identification Codes (PICs)