DOWNPASS explained – what is behind the certificate?

DOWNPASS – you will find this seal on all our down and feather products. But what exactly does it mean? And why is it so important when buying a down duvet? We explain the certificate in detail.

What does DOWNPASS mean?

DOWNPASS is an international certification system for ethically sourced down and feathers. It was developed to ensure that down is sourced under humane conditions – and that you, as a customer, can verify this.

What exactly does DOWNPASS check?

No live plucking

Live plucking means that down is plucked from live animals – a painful and animal-unfriendly process. DOWNPASS guarantees that all certified down is sourced exclusively after slaughter. No DOWNPASS-certified product contains down from live plucking.

No force-feeding

Force-feeding – also known as gavage – is the forced feeding of geese and ducks to produce foie gras. DOWNPASS-certified farms do not practice force-feeding.

Full traceability

Perhaps the most important point: DOWNPASS tracks every batch of down from the farm through processing to the finished product. This means that if you buy a DOWNPASS-certified product, the origin of the down can be fully traced.

Regular independent inspections

DOWNPASS is not a one-off audit. All farms in the supply chain are regularly inspected by independent certification bodies. Only those who continuously meet all requirements are allowed to use the seal.

Why is DOWNPASS important?

The down market is global and often opaque. Without independent certification, you cannot be sure of the conditions under which the down in your duvet was sourced. DOWNPASS provides this transparency – with regular independent inspections.

All Traumwelt down products are DOWNPASS-certified

All our down duvets and down pillows carry the DOWNPASS certificate. For us, this is not just a marketing promise, but our commitment to ethical responsibility. You can read more about origin and materials on our Sustainability & Animal Welfare page.

For example, our All-Season 90% Down Duvet, All-Season 100% Down Duvet, and 3-Chamber Down Pillow are DOWNPASS-certified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Traumwelt products are DOWNPASS-certified?
All products containing down: the summer, all-season, and winter down duvets with 90% down, the all-season and winter down duvets with 100% down, the 3-chamber down pillow, and the down chambers of the 3-chamber hybrid pillow.

Does DOWNPASS also apply to the feathers in a 90% down duvet?
Yes. DOWNPASS certifies down and feathers – including the 10% feather content in our 90% down duvets and the feather core of the 3-chamber down pillow.

Is DOWNPASS the same as NOMITE?
No. DOWNPASS stands for animal welfare and down traceability, while NOMITE indicates suitability for house dust mite allergy sufferers. Our guide NOMITE, OEKO-TEX and DOWNPASS explained explains what each seal checks.

What is the difference between DOWNPASS and RDS?
Both standards exclude live plucking and force-feeding, and require independent inspections and a traceable supply chain. They come from different organizations – the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) from Textile Exchange. As a buyer, the most important thing is that one of these certifications is available.

How can I tell if a duvet is really DOWNPASS-certified?
Look for the DOWNPASS logo on the label, sewn-in tag, or packaging – and check that the supplier specifically mentions the certificate for that product. If it only says "from humane farming" without a seal, there is no independent verification.

Does DOWNPASS make a duvet warmer or higher quality?
No. DOWNPASS says nothing about warmth or loft, but about origin and animal welfare. For quality, you should also look at Class I, the down content, and the loft (Cuin).

Related topics

• Down duvets
• Sustainability & Animal Welfare