NSF Certifies First Factories for Down Standard

NSF Sustainability has certified the first manufacturers to the Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS). Youngone Corporation (Seoul, South Korea), Quang Viet Enterprise (QVE) Co., Ltd. (Taipei, Taiwan) and Shen Gang Tungsang (ShenZhen), Co., Ltd., (Shen Zhen, China) have all achieved certification to the Global Traceable Down Standard. Certification to the standard enables an organization to demonstrate the down it processes is from farms that practice the highest levels of animal welfare and that the down is fully traceable throughout its supply chain, said the group.

Two of the companies, QVE and Youngone Corporation, are suppliers to outdoor apparel company Patagonia. Based on Patagonia’s commitment to animal welfare in its supply chain, it requires manufacturers in its supply chain to be fully certified to the Global Traceable Down Standard. Shen Gang Tungsang Co., Ltd., the other manufacturer to be certified, is a prominent designer and developer of insulated outdoor products, particularly sleeping bags.

All three of these manufacturers are leading suppliers to the down outdoor apparel and sporting goods markets, supplying high quality products to many leading brands.

“With certification to NSF International’s Global Traceable Down Standard, Youngone Corporation is proud to be one of the world’s first manufacturers that have developed capabilities to support brands with aspirations to achieve high standards in animal welfare and full traceability from original sources of down,” said Ms. Rae Eun Sung, Executive Vice President, Youngone Corporation.

The Global TDS was developed in a consensus-based process in partnership with stakeholders from industry (manufacturers and retailers), animal welfare groups (such as Four Paws International), trade associations and other non-governmental organizations. These key groups developed, defined and agreed to the criteria for the final standard.


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