Responsible Down Standard

Unterwegs & Environment

Sustainability Seal

Manufacturer statements

Tatonka

What is the RDS?

The Responsible Down Standard has been initiated in 2014 by the outdoor manufacturer The North Face together with Textile Exchange and Control Union Certifications. Control Union Certifications is an accredited external certification body with an emphasis on the agricultural sector. Textile Exchange is an international Non-Profit organisation, who stands up for sustainability in the textile- and clothing industry. By now The North Face has handed over the ownership rights to Textile Exchange to ensure that everybody has access to this standard and the means to purchase downs from geese and ducks raised in species-appropriate environment and with a species-appropriate treatment.

Over 40 Brands have started to get their supply chains certificated according to the RDS guidelines. In Europe, Asia and North America more than 1200 manufacturing plants and 240 processing factories and trading units have been certificated so far. Furthermore, all manufacturers agreeing to the RDS have also entered a commitment to use 100% certificated downs and down products by 2016.

What makes the RDS stand out?

The RDS guarantees continuous monitoring (via Textil Exchange) of the entire supply chain of the down production and insures an animal welfare friendly breeding, keeping and slaughter of geese and ducks. This means that all RDS-certificated downs will never come from animals who have been subjected to painful practices, live plucking or force-feeding (foie gras production). Additionally the RDS guarantees the traceability of each finished product down to the parent farm. The long-term goal of the standard is a global change in thinking concerning down production, the optimisation of housing conditions for geese and ducks and a general rethinking of animal welfare.

Monitoring

There will be announced as well as unannounced controls on a regular basis, carried out by Textil Exchange. Die RDS certificate is only valid for 14 months.

Important notice

The RDS refers to the whole supply chain from the newly hatched chicks to the end product. The parents are excluded from this. A voluntary additional certification is available if requested.

Conclusion

Due to the rigorous requirements and the exceptionally high transparency the Responsible Down Standard offers one of the most comprehensive and reliable standards in the field of down production. Because the RDS is so widespread by now and the criteria are available online for free and in a very detailed form, this label contributes to the awareness for animal welfare friendly down productions in the public.