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RDS — Responsible Down Standard

Ensures down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to unnecessary harm.

RDSRDSResponsible Down
Focus
Animal Welfare
Ideal For
Down supply chain
Framework
Welfare + chain of custody
Validity
Annual cycle
Responsible down and animal welfare
RDS
Animal Welfare
Product Certification

What is RDS?

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a voluntary global standard that ensures down and feathers come from ducks and geese that have been treated well — prohibiting live-plucking and force-feeding — and tracks the material through the supply chain.

RDS gives brands and consumers confidence that down products respect animal welfare. IQS supports the down supply chain in achieving RDS certification.

  • Animal welfare — no live-plucking or force-feeding.
  • Whole chain — traced from farm to final product.
  • Credible claim — independently certified responsible down.
Why It Matters

Benefits of RDS

Certification that verifies responsible animal welfare across the down supply chain.

WELFARE

Animal welfare

Prove humane treatment of ducks and geese.

MARKETS

Meet demand

Satisfy demand for responsible down products.

CHAIN

Traceability

Track down through the supply chain.

TRUST

Consumer confidence

Support credible welfare claims.

BRAND

Protect reputation

Reduce reputational and welfare risk.

IMPROVE

Maintain status

Sustain certification through annual audits.

Key Requirements

What RDS involves

The core areas your organization will address with IQS support.

  • 1Animal welfareProhibit live-plucking and force-feeding.
  • 2Farm certificationCertify down at the farm level.
  • 3Chain of custodyTrack material through processing.
  • 4SegregationSeparate certified from non-certified down.
  • 5Transaction recordsMaintain transaction certificates.
  • 6Annual auditUndergo annual certification audit.
Who Needs It

Who benefits from RDS

Down Suppliers
Processors
Fillers
Garment Makers
Traders
Brands
The Pathway

How IQS supports your RDS

A transparent, impartial route from first contact through to ongoing support.

01

Application & Scope

We define the certification scope, products and material flows to be covered.

02

Document & Input Review

We review your inputs, suppliers and transaction records against the standard.

03

On-Site Certification Audit

A qualified auditor verifies processing, segregation and record-keeping on site.

04

Certification & Renewal

Your scope certificate is issued, with annual audits to maintain certification.

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Ready for RDS certification?

Talk to our team for a free, no-obligation discussion about RDS — usually within one business day.