While animal rights activists have targeted high profile outdoor brands in campaigns to halt inhumane practices used to produce down and feathers, such brands consume a tiny fraction of global down production, according to a survey released Tuesday by The European Outdoor Group (EOG).


 

The EOG, which represents 62 outdoor brands, including several US brands, undertook the research to establish the type, quality and quantity of down used across the manufacture of outdoor products.  The effort was supported by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), which encouraged its membes in the United States to contribute to the research. 

 

 

Based on the brands who replied to the EOG’s down survey, a total of 1,058 tons of down was measured and the association has estimated that this represents somewhere in the region of 65-to-75 percent of the down used by European/American outdoor brands.  This gives a projected outdoor market volume of between 1,410 and 1,630 tons of down annually.  Although this is at a time when down usage within the outdoor industry is at an all-time high, it equates to less than 1 percent of the total global production of down (estimated to be at least 270,000 tons). 

 

 

Patagonia, The North Face and Allied Feather & Down have all responded to criticism of inhumane practices in the down supply chain the last year by launching initiatives to trace their down supply all the way back to hatcheries. But others in the indsutry have argued such intiatives are future given the fractured nature of the supply chain and the fact that the food iand bedding industries have much more sway over the supply chain. EOG said the results of its survey will be used to positively influence the impact that outdoor, bedding and other manufacturers may have on the environment, communities in the supply chain, and animal welfare.


“It is common knowledge that over the last few years there has been a growing focus from NGOs, retailers and consumers on the ethical sourcing of down within our industry,” said Mark Held, general secretary of the EOG. “Meanwhile, numerous brands are working hard to ensure that their use of down meets high ethical and environmental standards.  At the EOG, we have continued to maintain our approach of providing research support for our members and thereby facilitating both the debate and the move to best practice in terms of sourcing.


 

“The fact that our industry’s volume of down use equates to less than 1 percent of total production suggests one reason why our leverage across the supply chain is limited and requires a combined effort.  We are confident that we are following the correct approach in trying to work together as an industry and promote best practices, while encouraging the wider down users and supply chain to get further engaged.  This research is an important step in achieving our long term aim, which is to help find a way to achieve one single industry standard, that is held by an independent body, is cost effective, and acceptable to both businesses and NGOs.”

 

 

The data that has been collected will be used to inform the future direction of the association’s CSR/sustainability program.  Full details of the down research results are only available to participants, but exceptions are possible in the case of companies that are prepared to actively support the general aim of an improved supply chain.  For more information, visit www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com.


The European Outdoor Group represents 62 outdoor brands and works closely with nine national outdoor associations.