Responsible Down Standard International Working Group September 13, 2017
Introduction 1. Introductions and Housekeeping 2. Update from NSF International 3. Updates on Responsible Down Standard 4. International Working Group Steering Committee / Voting Members Technical Group Advisory Group 5. Selection process 6. Decision-making process 7. Additional stakeholder outreach 8. Initial issues to be addressed introduction to the Terms of Reference 9. Feedback collection 10.In-person meeting save the date
Anti-Trust Guidelines Summary: IWG Participants are free to exchange or discuss publicly available information. However, Participants should avoid any discussions or joint efforts regarding confidential competitive information such as non-public cost or price information, non-public volume information, strategic plans or other information that is not reasonably necessary to achieve the IWG s goals. Detailed guidelines Do not agree or discuss how each of the Participants will price their own goods or related products; Do not agree to allocate certain geographic markets (i.e., territories) or product markets (i.e., types of products) among each other; Do not discuss or agree to the cost or method of pricing products manufactured or sold by each other or otherwise direct each other s business activities that are outside the scope of the IWG; Do not not compare cost information that is confidential, such as labor cost, manufacturing costs or other variables affecting pricing; Do not agree among yourselves to not do business with certain vendors (potential boycott ) or otherwise pressure other competitors or vendors to comply with certain pricing or cost policies; The IWG should not share with each other or discuss confidential, competitive information for individual Participants or any information that might affect the Participants own day to day business decisions related to cost, price or output of their own products. For example, this confidential competitive information may include: price lists or pricing plans, volume, rebate or refund programs, discount policies, credit policies, advertising credits or program allowances, slotting allowances, product cost variables or profit margins, customer lists or specific complaints, supplier contract terms, current or future marketing plans, bidding plans, purchasing plans, planning strategies, capital improvement plans, terms of sale or other contract terms, or competition in the sale or manufacture of competing products; The IWG should not facilitate agreements or coordination among Participants for the prices they charge for the products they manufacture or sell or other collusive conduct, including market allocation or refusals to deal with suppliers or customers, or organize boycotts against other manufacturers or retailers; and The IWG should not publish or share any information that would be suggestive or conclusory as to how any individual Participant should deal with individual contracting or other third party issues Participants may discuss or share non-confidential, publicly available information or data
Chatham House Rules When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
Responsible Down Standard Goal To create the best possible tool to ensure that down does not come from animals that have been subjected to any unnecessary harm and to institute a traceability system to validate the source of the material. Scope From hatchling to jacket Global supply chain from hatchling through to final garment assembly Applicable for industrialized and collector based channels Applies to both blended and 100% certified products Holistic animal welfare - beyond prohibition of force feeding and live plucking Access to water and food Freedom to roam Shelter
Requirement Types LEVEL % Compliance Deadline Critical Major 100% Immediately Major 100% 60 days after audit Minor 50% per module 60 days after audit (to reach 50%) Recommendation 0% Not applicable
Textile Exchange Standards Accreditation Body Textile Exchange 3 rd Party body accredits the Certification Body to ISO and Textile Exchange requirements to ensure that the CB is qualified and ethical. Accreditation Requirements Information sharing Certification Bodies (CBs) Textile Exchange develops, owns and administers the standard. Textile Exchange does not do any certification activities, but does keep record of the certified companies, supplied by the certification bodies. Standard The certification body has the only formal relationship with the certified company. They handle certification to the requirements of the TE standard. Certified Company Certified Products Certified Products Certified Products
RDS RDS Development and Revision Project Initiation Research Evaluation Draft 1 Pre-pilot audits Draft 2 Stakeholder Review Final Draft RDS Release Training Audits and Certification Tool development Outreach Jan 2013 Jan 2014 Jan 2015 RDS 2.0 Project Initiation Stakeholder Outreach International Working Group Terms of Reference Review of standard, feedback, audit feedback Update to requirements v2 Draft 1 Stakeholder Engagement 1 v2 Draft 2 Stakeholder Engagement 2 Final Draft RDS v2 Release
Theory of Change BRANDS Safe supply Demand Industry Education & Development Program RDS Best Practices
Textile Exchange follows the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for the development and revision of our standards. The ISEAL Alliance is the global membership association for sustainability standards. ISEAL is a non-governmental organisation whose mission is to strengthen sustainability standards systems for the benefit of people and the environment.
INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUP
International Working Group (IWG) Steering Committee (Voting Members) Set goals and scope, guide development, participate in key decisions. Decision Making Authority Technical Committee Actively engaged in research and writing. Advisory Group Consulted on specific areas of experience and expertise. Stakeholder Group Any persons or groups concerned with or directly affected by the standard. There will be active outreach to stakeholder to provide feedback on drafts and key developments. Public Any person or group may view the progress (e.g. standard drafts, meeting summaries, and background research) on the Standard website and submit comments.
Steering Committee Expectations Provide guidance and direction Key decision-makers Monthly or twice monthly calls A balance of stakeholders Responsibilities will include: Vote on key decisions Actively participate in the readings, etc. Actively participate in the majority of the IWG calls Support outreach to other stakeholders for input or participation in research or pilots
Steering Committee Composition Public 2 Animal welfare group 2 Governmental/Academia Users 2 brands 2 consumer groups Industry: 2 down suppliers 2 producer groups (Europe and China) Note: aim to balance Europe and Asian representation aim to balance disadvantaged producer groups, need to identify plan for outreach and engagement
Technical Group Expectations Actively involved in research and writing of the standard Higher time commitments will be higher, with calls on a weekly or twice monthly basis throughout most of the year. The group will include Textile Exchange, and Certification Bodies approved to the standard. Responsibilities will include: Conduct desk research and advise on supply chain structure, current and best practices Conduct field research as needed Participate in the writing and review of the standard requirements Engage supply chain partners to contribute information, and possibly participate in pilot exercises Run pilot certification as needed
Administrative Support Additional administrative responsibilities will include (Textile Exchange): Ensure compliance with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice Coordinate the activities of the RDS IWG: setting phone calls, keeping records, publicizing updates, etc. Manage stakeholder engagement Maintain ownership of the final standard; responsible for the final release, administration and promotion of the standard
Advisory Group Expectations This group will advise on specific issues of knowledge related to their position in industry or society. They will be sent regular updates on the progress of the standard, and will be able to comment at any time, but will only be asked for direct participation on specific issues. Time commitments will be on an as-needed basis. The Advisory Group may develop into temporary sub-groups to work on specific aspects of the standard (e.g. bill-trimming, euthanasia, etc.).
Selection Process Send an email to Integrity@TextileExchange.org indicating your interest: Steering Committee, Technical Committee, or Advisory Group If applying for Steering Committee or Technical Committee: Include name, company, title, location, brief CV summary, and statement of interest. Voting may take place to fill the slots
Decision-Making Model C3. Decision Making C3.1 The process of decision-making will reflect a balance of views among interested parties in the subject matter and in the geographic scope to which the standard applies. C3.2 The standard-setting process shall strive for consensus among all core participants (Technical Group and Steering Committee) of the IWG. C3.3 In the event that consensus is not possible, the following will happen: The member(s) who disagree from the majority shall present alternative solutions for consideration If a compromise cannot be reached within the group, input from the wider stakeholder group will be invited; after consideration of this feedback, the IWG will attempt to form a consensus, or move to a vote. A decision is considered to pass with a majority vote. In the event of a tie vote, TE will make the deciding vote, however, it will strive for consensus on any given issue at all times.
Terms of Reference A justification of the need for the standard, including an assessment of whether the proposed standard will meet an expressed need; examination of what other standards exist or are in the process of development which meet all or part of the expressed need. An assessment of risks in implementing the standard and how to mitigate for these, including identification of factors that could have a negative impact on the ability of the standard to achieve its objectives; unintended consequences that could arise from its implementation; and possible corrective actions that could be taken to address these potential risks. Clear objectives that the standard seeks to achieve. Scope of the standard, identifying the issues to be addressed, regions where the standard may be applied, and the parts of the supply chain to which the standard will apply. * From ISEAL Code of Good Practice
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare Freedom from hunger or thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury or disease Freedom to express (most) normal behavior Freedom from fear and distress
Objectives Ensure that down and feathers do not come from animals in a supply chain that have been subjected to any unnecessary harm. Reward and influence the down and feather industry to incentivize practices that respect the humane treatment of ducks and geese. Provide companies with a tool to know what is in their products, and to make accurate claims. Ensure strong chain of custody for certified materials as they move through the supply chain. Other??
Stakeholder Feedback We want to hear from you! What have you learned? What would you like to see changed?
In-person Meeting When: Thursday, October 12 Time: 9 AM 12 PM Where: Washington D.C. Following Textile Exchange s Textile Sustainability Conference, October 9-11.
Next Steps q Send in notice of interest to be a member of the Steering Committee or Technical Committee, include a brief summary CV and statement of interest q Review draft Terms of Reference, submit comments q Notify Textile Exchange if you are able to attend the in-person meeting q Submit Feedback via the Feedback Form
Thank you!