# Responsible Down Standard (RDS) - Certification body: ETKO Ecological Agriculture Control Organization - Category: Textile Certification - Canonical page: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/responsible-down-standard - Markdown: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/responsible-down-standard.md ## Summary The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an international standard ensuring that down and feathers come from animals protected against live-plucking and… ## Does ETKO provide Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification? Yes. ETKO (Ecological Agriculture Control Organization) offers Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification as part of its Textile Certification program. This page describes the standard, how to apply, and related documents. ## What is Responsible Down Standard (RDS)? The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an international standard ensuring that down and feathers come from animals protected against live-plucking and… ## Details # **What is the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)?** Developed and managed by Textile Exchange, the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an international, voluntary standard that ensures down and feathers used in the textile and bedding industries are ethically sourced. The primary objective of the standard is to entirely eliminate industrial practices that cause unnecessary harm to waterfowl (ducks and geese) and to ensure they are raised in accordance with the "Five Freedoms" of animal welfare. The RDS not only audits the ethical sourcing at the farm level but also mandates a transparent chain of custody to track the material all the way to the final manufactured product. ## **Key Technical Criteria of RDS Certification** The RDS aims to reduce animal rights violations to zero by enforcing strict requirements across the supply chain. The technical framework can be summarized as follows: - **Animal Welfare and Strict Prohibitions:** **No Live-Plucking:** Plucking feathers from live birds is strictly prohibited and is an intolerable violation under the standard. - **No Force-Feeding:** Force-feeding animals for purposes such as foie gras production is strictly banned. - Housing, feeding, and slaughtering processes must be conducted humanely and in full compliance with animal welfare standards. - **Chain of Custody:** Like all Textile Exchange standards, the RDS utilizes the Content Claim Standard (CCS) framework. - RDS-certified down collected from farms and slaughterhouses is documented and physically tracked through every stage—washing, sorting, processing, and final product manufacturing—using **Transaction Certificates (TCs)**. This strictly prevents it from being mixed with non-certified conventional down. - **Manufacturing Phase Audits:** Production facilities (e.g., jacket or pillow manufacturers) applying for an RDS certificate are not audited for chemical use, wastewater management, or social compliance (labor rights, etc.); the system focuses solely on verifying the physical source and traceability of the down. ## **Why Choose RDS Certification with ETKO?** Down is one of the most valuable and highly insulating natural materials, but it is also an area where consumers are exceptionally sensitive to animal rights violations. ETKO’s internationally accredited auditing expertise independently verifies that the down in your supply chain is completely free from unethical practices like live-plucking and force-feeding. Obtaining an RDS certificate with ETKO proves your brand’s respect for animal welfare, offering a transparent commitment to a global market that demands trust. ## How do I apply for Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification with ETKO? Submit an online quote request on the ETKO website: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/quote-request ## Application Process At ETKO, we manage your application process transparently, quickly, and clearly. Our process consists of the following steps: 1. **Application and Information Exchange** — We gather preliminary information about your company's structure and production processes. 2. **Proposal and Contract** — We present a detailed proposal for the inspection process and sign a contract upon your approval. 3. **Pre-Audit Preparation** — This is the process of preparing the necessary documentation (chemical inventory, social compliance documents, etc.). 4. **On-Site Audit** — Expert ETKO auditors visit your facility and examine your compliance with the criteria on-site. 5. **Reporting and Certification** — After non-conformities are resolved (if any), the audit report is approved and your certificate is issued. ## Accreditations - GOTS: International Organic Accreditation Service - accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - National Organic Program (NOP): United States Department of Agriculture — NOP accredited certifying agent. - TR Organik & GLOBALGAP & İTU: Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) — Turkey's national accreditation body for conformity assessment. - COSMOS: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - Textile Exchange Standards: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - ISO/IEC 17065:2012: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. ## Countries of operation Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, Korea, China, Denmark, Germany, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Romania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar ## Where can I find Responsible Down Standard (RDS) regulations and forms? ETKO's document center lists regulations, application forms, and current guidelines for this standard: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/quote-request ## Related pages - HTML: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/textile/responsible-down-standard - About ETKO: https://www.etko.com.tr/about - Contact: https://www.etko.com.tr/contact - Document center: https://www.etko.com.tr/documents?category=textile&standard=responsible-down-standard