The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a voluntary standard that incentivizes the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese more humanely and rewards organizations leading the way. The standard also gives companies and consumers a way to know more about the origin of materials in the products they buy.

Setting criteria for progressive practices that are better for ducks and geese

• Help to mitigate risks of down and
  feathers coming from animals that have been subjected to unnecessary harm.
• Incentivize the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese more humanely.
• Provide a strong chain of custody for certified materials as they move along the supply chain.
• Strengthen companies’ claims that the products they sell contain certified material.

HOW IT WORKS

Incentivizing best practices and managing chain of custody

• Animal welfare

  Respect for the welfare of birds and geese, from hatching to slaughter, is a core part of The Five Freedoms of animal welfare and is incorporated in the standard criteria.

• Live-plucking and force-feeding prohibition

  Any removal of down or feathers from live birds (live-plucking or molt-harvesting) is prohibited in the standard. Force-feeding is also prohibited.

• Credible certification

  A professional, third-party certification body audits each stage in the supply chain starting at the farm.

• Chain of custody

  Certification helps to maintain the identity of down or feathers from certified farms through to final products. Learn more.

• Confident communication

  Products that meet the minimum requirements for certification may be labeled with the Responsible Down Standard logo.

• Stakeholder engagement

  The standard is managed with the input of farmers, animal welfare experts, land conservation experts, suppliers, brands, and retailers from all parts of the globe.