Outdoor label the North Face has achieved its goal of using 100 percent
certified responsible down in all of its retail and wholesale down products
for its fall 2016 range.
The step comes one year earlier than anticipated, with the down fill used
by The North Face to be certified through the which the
outdoor brand teamed up with together with global non-profit organization
Textile Exchange and certification body Control Union Certifications.
Officially launched in January 2014, the North Face originally set goals to
include 30 percent certified down in its fall 2015 range, 60 percent in its
2016 line and 100 percent in fall 2017. However, the company was able to
meet its goal a year ahead of schedule, with its fall 2016 collection
offering more than 500 down-insulated apparel items.
“Down provides the most compressible warmth without the weight, offering
superior insulation and comfort,” said Joe Vernachio, Global Vice President
of Product, The North Face. “We’ve been working hard to integrate
RDS-certified down across our entire down product line. It took a team
effort, and we’re proud to say that now our customers can take comfort in
knowing their down products were sourced from the highest quality,
responsible down available.”
The RDS provides strict requirements in regards the component in the water
fowl sourcing chain, from chick to end product, to ensure the better
treatment of the birds. It also ensures that inhumane practices such as
force-feeding and live-plucking are not part of the supply chain whilst
encouraging the best practices in animal welfare.
“We’re thrilled to see complete integration of RDS-certified down into The
North Face down products this fall,” said Anne Gillespie, Director of
Industry Integrity for Textile Exchange. “Over the last year, many farm
groups, processors, garment factories and trading units all became
certified by RDS, providing a surge in the availability of responsible down
to the growing number of brands who are demanding it. The North Face has
been a real driver in creating the demand that has fuelled the momentum we
are seeing.”
Photo: Herve Barmasse shot by Damiano Levati, The North Face Facebook