Textile Exchange and NSF International are working together to turn the Global Traceable Down and the Responsible Down standards into one global down standard. More than 80 brands currently have their down supply chain certified to one of these two standards, which share the goal of ensuring best practices standards that respect the treatment of birds throughout the down supply chain. Specifically, the two standards aims to ensure that the Farm Animal Welfare Council's “Five Freedoms” of birds are in place throughout the supply chain. These include freedom from hunger and thirst, from discomfort, from pain, injury or disease, from fear and distress, and freedom to express normal behavior. Textile Exchange and NSF International have created an international working group with representatives from the same stakeholders that were involved in the development of the current standards, which include brands, suppliers, animal welfare groups and other interested parties. It began its work in March.

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