RDS， Protecting animal welfare and environmental sustainability

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a voluntary standard aimed at incentivizing the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese in a more humane way, and rewarding and influencing the down industry. This standard also allows companies and consumers to have a better understanding of the sources of materials in the products they purchase. RDS is a meaningful way to drive the demand for strong animal welfare practices. This standard also provides a tool for companies and consumers to know what is in their products and make accurate statements.

The goal of RDS

1. Help reduce the risk of down and feathers from animals that have suffered unnecessary harm.

2. Encourage the down industry to treat ducks and geese more humanely.

3. Provide a strong regulatory chain as certification materials flow along the supply chain.

4. Strengthen the company's declaration that the products it sells contain certification materials.

Key points in RDS

Protecting animal welfare

Respect for the overall welfare of birds and animals from hatching to slaughter. The five regulations on animal welfare are respected.

No active feeding or forced feeding

It is prohibited to remove down and feathers from live poultry (by plucking or molting); Forced feeding is also prohibited.

Chain of custody

Certification ensures that the identity of RDS down and feathers remains unchanged from farm to final product.

Trusted authentication

Professional third-party certification agencies conduct audits at each stage of the supply chain.

Confident communication

Only down and feather products that have been 100% certified can carry the RDS logo.

Stakeholder engagement

RDS was developed with the investment of farmers, animal welfare experts, land conservation experts, brands, and retailers around the world.

RDS certification requirements

1 RDS requires all venues to be certified, starting from farms and slaughterhouses, and ultimately becoming sellers in business to business transactions.

2. Farms and slaughterhouses also need to be certified to ensure strict animal welfare requirements.

3. The subsequent stages of the downstream supply chain need to be certified according to the requirements of the Content Declaration Standard (CCS), until the seller in the last business to business transaction. The facilities have passed standard certification, and each batch of goods must be accompanied by a transaction certificate (TC).

4. When RDS certification products are required, TC will ensure that down and feather materials come from certified farms.

It should be noted that in order to transition to a unified standard, starting from March 1, 2024, RDS has suspended the policy of farm area certification. Details can be viewed:

Textile Exchange | Responsible Down Standard RDS, Policy on Suspending Farm Area Certification

How to obtain RDS certification

1. Choose an approved certification body (CB).

2. Send the application form.

3. Document review. Preparing the facilities and providing comprehensive information can save audit time.

4 ASCP will dispatch auditors to conduct on-site audits in accordance with standard requirements.

5. If follow-up is required, you will receive a corrective action plan.

6 ASCP will review the audit results to make the final certification decision.