What is the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)?

The RDS is an international voluntary standard that ensures that feathers from waterfowl such as geese and ducks are sourced in an ethical and animal welfare-compliant manner. This certification guarantees that birds are not subjected to unnecessary harm, are raised in humane conditions and practices such as force-feeding or live plucking are strictly prohibited. It also creates a transparent supply chain, enabling consumers to buy reliable and ethical products.

Objectives of the RDS

Main objectives of the CERTIFICATE
1

Protecting Animal Welfare

Preventing birds from unnecessary harm and maximizing their welfare.

2

Promoting Humane Practices

Support and reward animal welfare-respecting procurement processes in the down industry.

3

Ensuring Transparency in the Supply Chain

To guarantee the traceability of certified materials.

4

Correct Information

Ensure that companies provide accurate information and make credible claims about their products.

Advantages of RDS Certificate

RDS certification offers many benefits to both businesses and consumers.

RDS offers significant benefits to businesses and consumers. It protects the welfare of birds and guarantees that ethical production standards are adhered to, thereby gaining the trust of consumers who prefer ethically sourced products. For brands, it creates a strong differentiation element that emphasizes the importance given to ethical values.

In the international market, it makes it possible to meet the growing demand for certified products, expanding export opportunities.

Trust in Ethical Production and Transparency in Supply Chain with RDS Certificate!

Ensure that you are sourcing from animal welfare compliant sources in your down supply chain with RDS. Document the origin and traceability of down in your supply chain with the Responsible Down Standard (RDS).
Start your certification process immediately with our expert team.

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RDS Certificate Scope

Farms

Areas where geese and ducks are raised.

Slaughterhouses

Facilities where birds are slaughtered.

Processing Plants

Places where bird feathers are cleaned and processed.

Manufacturers

Factories producing clothing, home textiles and other products containing RDS-certified down.

Retailers

Stores selling RDS certified products.

“RDS covers all stages of the down supply chain.”

*Note: The RDS standard covers all stages from farm to end product. USB Certification provides Chain of Custody certification at the processing, production and trade (Supply Chain) stages of this chain.

Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certification Process

The following steps are followed to obtain Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification…

  • 1
    Application

    A certification body is consulted.

  • 2
    Audit

    Production facilities and supply chain are examined by the certification body.

  • 3
    Reporting

    The results of the audit are evaluated and a report is prepared.

  • 4
    Certification

    Companies that meet the RDS criteria are given a certificate.

  • 5
    Annual Audits

    Regular audits are carried out to ensure that the certificate remains valid.

RDS

Documents

Responsible Down Standard
ViewDownload
Responsible Down Standard User Manual
ViewDownload

Frequently Asked Questions

RDS certification is suitable for any business that wants to source feathers from ethical sources. The certificate is particularly advantageous for companies operating in the following sectors

  • Down producers: Producers supplying feathers from farm-raised geese and ducks in accordance with the requirements of the RDS standard.
  • Textile manufacturers: Factories producing products using RDS certified down.
  • Fashion brands: Brands that offer ethical and sustainable products to consumers.
  • Retailers : Stores selling RDS certified products.
  • Supply chain managers: Businesses that want to ensure transparency and traceability in the supply chain.

The RDS label can only be used on products if certain conditions are met. The following rules must be followed to use the label:

All feathers must be RDS certified: All of the down used in the product must be RDS certified.
Accurate and non-misleading information: The label must not contain misleading statements and must be transparent.
Approval from the certification body: The use of the RDS label must be approved by the certifying body.

These rules are set to ensure that consumers can buy reliable and ethical products.

RDS-certified products guarantee ethical production standards. Consumers prefer these products:

They support animal welfare: They contribute to preventing practices such as live plucking and force feeding.
âś” Promote ethical production practices: By supporting responsible producers and brands, they help promote a more humane industry.
âś” They trust transparent and traceable supply chains: They know that the product’s sourcing process meets ethical standards.
Invest in a sustainable future: They prefer brands that are environmentally and socially responsible.

RDS certification helps support animal welfare and sustainability by providing consumers with the opportunity to make an ethical choice.

In order to obtain an RDS certificate, you need to apply to an accredited certification body, successfully complete the audit process and have your compliance with the RDS criteria confirmed. For more information about the process, please contact USB Certification.

RDS certification covers the entire supply chain, starting from goose and duck breeding farms, slaughterhouses, processing plants, production facilities and retailers. Certain standards must be met at each stage. You can contact our experts for detailed information.

Obtaining RDS is not mandatory; however, it provides a significant competitive advantage for brands with ethical and sustainable production values. As consumers become more aware, the demand for RDS certified products is increasing. Contact us to find out how it can benefit your brand.

The RDS certificate is usually valid for one year and needs to be renewed with regular audits. For more information on the renewal process and requirements, please contact USB Certification.

While there is no direct incentive for RDS certification, it may be possible to benefit from various government incentives and grants that support sustainable production practices. You can contact us for detailed information on this subject.

RDS certification mainly covers the breeding and feather supply chain of waterfowl such as geese and ducks. The welfare of these animals is a key focus of the standard.