rds
Responsible Down Standard (RDS): What this certification means
What does this certification mean?
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) was created to verify that down and feathers come from more responsibly managed animal farming. It applies to goose and duck down used in products such as jackets, bedding and outdoor equipment.
The certification focuses on animal welfare. It is designed to ensure that birds have not been live-plucked or force-fed, while maintaining traceability throughout the supply chain so certified down can be separated from non-certified material.
What is verified?
Live-plucking is strictly prohibited.
Force-feeding is not permitted.
Farms must comply with defined animal welfare requirements and undergo regular inspections.
Certified down must remain traceable through a documented chain-of-custody system.
Independent certification bodies audit all relevant processing and trading stages.
The standard is managed and regularly updated by Textile Exchange.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is every product with this certification equivalent?
No. A certification covers specific criteria and no more. The exact scope is described on each certification page.
How does klugundgrün handle certification claims?
We research claims using public sources and mark whether a certification is verified. Unverified claims are shown as such. We are not a certification body.
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