Allied Feather & Down, supplier and processor of down to the outdoor and home markets, has completed the audit and certification process of the Textile Exchange Responsible Down Standard (RDS) for its processing plant in Montebello, California. This makes it, the first down processor worldwide to offer RDS certified down that has met RDS certifications for every module of its supply chain.
Earlier this month, Allied was awarded the RDS certificates for a significant percentage of its global down supply chain. Now that the next sequential module of certification has been completed - by its US processing plant passing inspection and being deemed RDS certified by third party auditors at Control Union - Allied is the first global down supplier to have RDS down available to ship to vendor partners.
The RDS was originally developed by The North Face in partnership with Control Union Certifications, an accredited global third-party certification body, and Textile Exchange, a nonprofit that promotoes sustainability in the textile industry. Allied supported the development of the RDS by leading The North Face and Control Union Certifications through their global supply chain, evaluating conditions and identifying where auditing should take place as a way to certify that there is no live plucking, force feeding or any other mistreatment of animals, from gosling to finished product. In addition, the RDS has strict traceability requirements to validate the source of certified down and feathers.
Allied’s supply chains were RDS certified earlier this summer, meaning the farms where Allied buys its down do not practice live plucking or force feeding, and engage in ethical and traceable practices in animal husbandry. The next module in the certification process is the inspection and auditing of the processing facilities. From here, the down will ship to Allied’s vendor partners who will use the RDS certified down in finished products.
“Congratulations, to Allied Feather & Down on being home to the first RDS certified processing plant in the USA. It has been a big month for Allied to achieve this level of transparency in both its supply chains and processing facilities.” said Director Business Development North America at Control Union. Hong Lee.
