Allied Feather & Down Joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Montebello, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2014)–Allied Feather & Down, a leading supplier and processor of down, is the first down supplier to join the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is a trade organization comprised of brands, retailers, manufacturers, government, non-governmental organizations and academic experts, representing more than a third of the global apparel and footwear market. The Coalition is working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.

“This is the latest development in our unwavering commitment to environmental standards, sustainability and animal welfare. It is important to unite with other brands to ensure that we are environmentally and socially responsible in our business practices as an industry, from ingredients to finished goods,” said Daniel Uretsky, COO of Allied Feather & Down. “We are proud to call ourselves members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.”
The focus of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition is The Higg Index – a suite of assessment tools that standardizes the measurement of the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products across the product lifecycle and throughout the value chain.

This milestone as the first down supplier to join the Coalition is one of many “firsts” for Allied Feather & Down. For years, Allied has been a pioneer in developing the most innovative and traceable systems for procuring and tracing down. In 1987, Allied Founder and CEO Steve Uretsky developed an industry leading down processing and cleaning method (now called Durawash®) that uses less water, recycles water that is used, and prevents detergents from ending up in waste water. In 2008, Allied became the first company of its kind to require signed declarations from suppliers verifying that materials purchased were not harvested from any live plucked source. In 2010, Allied also became the first feather and down processor to receive the prestigious bluesign® Certification. In 2011, Allied became the first company of its kind to engage a third party to audit and review their entire supply chain. These procedures ensure that Allied conforms to the best available environmental and animal welfare regulations and standards.

This year, Allied helped to develop and became the first down supplier to globally adopt the industry’s new Responsible Down Standard, which delivers independent, third-party assessment of all aspects of animal rearing and handling, as well as traceability from the source of the down through to the final product.

About Allied Feather & Down:
Allied Feather & Down is the world’s leader in the manufacture of the highest quality downs and their blends. Founded in Vernon, Calif. in 1987, Allied has been responsibly sourcing and sustainably processing down while driving innovation within the market for over 25 years. The family-run operation has earned the reputation as the largest, most reliable and most responsible supplier of raw material in the industry. Allied is committed to safeguarding the environment and transparency in ensuring the welfare of animals, which contributed, in part, to their prestigious bluesign® approval. Allied values longstanding relationships with the largest suppliers on the planet and is proud to produce the highest quality down technologies demanded by the most discerning brands in the outdoor, home and fashion marketplaces.

Media Contact:
Lauren Fallert
Verde Brand Communications
lfallert@verdepr.com
970.259.3555