Public stakeholder draft consultation for the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) has been opened by Textile Exchange. The standard has been under review for the past year and the International Working Group has presented a list of proposed changes for public review. These changes include a number of recommendations to strengthen the standard in areas that include training requirements, documentation and management systems, and ensuring best practices in animal welfare.

The RDS was originally released in 2014 and has catalysed brands and retailers to align demand around a common set of animal welfare principles. The RDS strictly prohibits live-plucking and force-feeding, alongside holistic requirements such as access to feed and water, proper handling, access to veterinary care and other key elements that ensure the animals are respected. The review included feedback and expertise from a wide range of stakeholders, including animal welfare organisations like Four Paws, RSPCA and Humane Society International.