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Label specification Label specification
Filling goods specification DIN EN 12934 Filling goods specification DIN EN 12934
RAL nomenclature RAL nomenclature

Is there only one new labelling standard available?

Since 1999 the European labelling standard EN 12934 has been applied for fillings consisting of down and feathers.
 
EN 12934 is flanked by 24 other standards amongst other things defining requirements or testing methods.
 
One of these standards (EN 1885) specifies terms and definitions for the feather and down sector.
Excerpts from this standard are availab
Since 1999 the European labelling standard EN 12934 has been applied for fillings consisting of down and feathers.
 
EN 12934 is flanked by 24 other standards amongst other things defining requirements or testing methods.
 
One of these standards (EN 1885) specifies terms and definitions for the feather and down sector.
Excerpts from this standard are available on (providing illustrations) www.edfa.eu -> consumer information -> glossary: For instance the definition of the terms down, duck feather, goose feather etc.
 
Another European standard lays down requirements for hygiene and cleanliness of the filling material consisting of down and feathers (EN 12935). Adherence to this standard is documented by the Daunasan® / Downafresh® brand.
Furthere informationen at :
Further information at DownCheck :
What is the new standard EN 12934? What does "Daunasan / Downafresh" stand for?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Is the new labelling a product of the European regulation paranoia?

The European labelling standard EN 12934 has developed from the unsatisfactory co-existence of differing labelling systems within Europe.
Moreover, the RAL terms such as half-down, three-quarter down and previously not used feathers have met harsh criticism because of the sometimes unclear filling specifications; for example, most customers would be firmly convinced that the term “half-down” referred to a filling containing 50 per cent of down by weight and 50 per cent of feathers.
The European labelling standard EN 12934 has developed from the unsatisfactory co-existence of differing labelling systems within Europe.
Moreover, the RAL terms such as half-down, three-quarter down and previously not used feathers have met harsh criticism because of the sometimes unclear filling specifications; for example, most customers would be firmly convinced that the term “half-down” referred to a filling containing 50 per cent of down by weight and 50 per cent of feathers.
 
As a result of the coalescence of the European states the number of different labelling systems for fillings made of down and feathers became too confusing, particularly for the consumers. Finally, the Consumer Protection Unit of the European Commission called for comprehensible labelling regulations which had to be based upon the currently valid regulations for textile labelling.
 
This is how the European standard EN 12934, which has been effective since 1999, came into being.
 
The old RAL regulations must not be applied anymore since January 1st, 2005.
 
Already since the middle of the 1980s there have been endeavours in Germany to alter the RAL regulations and to declare the composition of fillings of down and feathers in the form of a percentage of weight. The revision of the RAL regulations did, however, not take place anymore, as the process toward the formulation of the EN 12934 had already been initiated.
 
At the beginning of the 1990s the Unit for Consumer Protection of the European Commission demanded for the labelling of down and feathers used as filling materials to be conformed to the European directive on the labelling of textile products.
The specification concerning the fibre composition – in the form already existing for textiles (for example: “95 per cent cotton, 5 per cent polyester”) – had to be formulated correspondingly for the composition of fillings which contain down and feathers. Consequently, the label would have to include information on the composition, such as “contains x per cent down, y per cent feathers“. It was especially the consumer organizations which had been calling for such details to be specified on the label.

    Further information at:
 
Further information at DownCheck :
What regulations are laid down in the new standard EN 12934? Why do we need a new standard? Why do you always have to change everything? May the terms defined in the RAL such as “feathers which have not previously been used“, “half-down“ and so on still be used?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Etikettangaben

Why do we need so many different labels and brands? That it just confusing!

The differing labels, such as, for example, TRAUMPASS, Daunasan® / Downafresh®, NOMITE, KIS® Komfort Information System refer to quite different things.
Duvets (or pillows) made of down and/or feathers consist of various elements: the filling and the ticking, that is, the fabric which covers the filling. Information on the composition of the materials contained in both elements is indicated on the respective labels.
The differing labels, such as, for example, TRAUMPASS, Daunasan® / Downafresh®, NOMITE, KIS® Komfort Information System refer to quite different things.
Duvets (or pillows) made of down and/or feathers consist of various elements: the filling and the ticking, that is, the fabric which covers the filling. Information on the composition of the materials contained in both elements is indicated on the respective labels. Other labels show whether a bedding article is fit for allergy sufferers or they help you choose the right duvet for your individual needs.
 
 
The labels TRAUMPASS and Daunasan® / Downafresh® refer to the filling (its composition, classification and hygiene/cleanliness, respectively). The

NOMITE label indicates that duvets and/or pillows are suitable for house-dust-mite allergy sufferers. The KIS® Komfort Information System label will be of valuable help to you when choosing the duvet which best fits your Needs.

 
  • The German TRAUMPASS label relates to the filling composition (such as, the down percentage and that of feathers) as defined in the European standard DIN EN 12934. Only bedding articles filled with new down and feathers, which are categorized under class I or class II and originate from goose and duck may carry the TRAUMPASS brand.
    What does the TRAUMPASS label stand for?
     
  • Daunasan® / Downafresh® label certifies that the product meets the requirements on the down and feathers’ hygiene and cleanliness (according to the European standard DIN EN 12935).
    What does Daunasan® / Downafresh® mean?
     
  • the NOMITE brand stands for duvets and/or pillows which are suitable for house-dust-mite allergy sufferers, as both the down- and feather filling as well as the down-proof ticking comply with the requirements as defined in the PAS 1008 published by the German DIN association..
    What does the NOMITE label imply?
     
  • The KIS® Komfort Information System gives you information on the comfort and thermal qualities of duvets. It thus helps you choose the right duvet for you.
    How can the KIS®-System help me choose the right duvet for my individual needs?
 
Further information at DownCheck :
What does the TRAUMPASS label certify? What does "Daunasan / Downafresh" stand for? What does NOMITE stand for?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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RAL-Bezeichnungen

May the terms defined in the RAL such as “feathers which have not previously been used“, “half-down“ and so on still be used?

No, they must not. The regulations of the RAL 092 A2, which was in force in Germany between 1932 and 2004, and which provided the definition of these terms, was repealed with effect from December, 31st 2004. The suppliers of bedding are not allowed use these regulations anymore since January 1st 2005, neither for labelling nor for purposes of advertising.
 
 
No, they must not. The regulations of the RAL 092 A2, which was in force in Germany between 1932 and 2004, and which provided the definition of these terms, was repealed with effect from December, 31st 2004. The suppliers of bedding are not allowed use these regulations anymore since January 1st 2005, neither for labelling nor for purposes of advertising.
 
 
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Füllgutkennzeichnung DIN EN 12934

To whom does the labelling standard EN 12934 apply ?

Basically, the manufacturers are free to label their products in accordance with the European standard. A standard like EN 12934 is a non-binding recommendation. However, if manufacturers label their products in accordance with the standard, they will be responsible that their goods actually comply with the standard. Hence, for instance the percentages (down percentage, feather percentage) shall be labelled correctly. De facto, however, labelling in accordance with the European standard is the rule. 
Basically, the manufacturers are free to label their products in accordance with the European standard. A standard like EN 12934 is a non-binding recommendation. However, if manufacturers label their products in accordance with the standard, they will be responsible that their goods actually comply with the standard. Hence, for instance the percentages (down percentage, feather percentage) shall be labelled correctly. De facto, however, labelling in accordance with the European standard is the rule. 

 

Further information at:

 

Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Kennzeichnungsregeln alt - neu RAL-Bezeichnungen

Why do we need a new standard? Why do you always have to change everything?

There were essentially three good reasons for the formulation of a new standard:
  • The differing labelling systems in Europe
  • The advent of the Single European Market
  • The potential for misconceptions resulting from the old RAL regulations
There were essentially three good reasons for the formulation of a new standard:
  • The differing labelling systems in Europe
  • The advent of the Single European Market
  • The potential for misconceptions resulting from the old RAL regulations

The differing labelling systems in Europe
The RAL regulations were fiercely criticized for the terms concerning the composition labelling they contained, as these terms again and again led to misunderstandings. Germany’s European neighbour countries gradually dispensed with the RAL 092 A2 and developed their own labelling systems. They often included the consumer organisations and representatives of trade in the process.
Thus, in Europe evolved differing regulations for the labelling of down and feathers which were used as filling materials. Their multitude made it difficult to compare the European products with each other and was therefore not consumer-friendly.
 
The confusing co-existence of the different labelling systems in Europe was finally laid to rest by the European standard EN 12934.
 
The potential misconceptions resulting form the old RAL regulations
The correct and understandable declaration of the materials contained in a filling is so important, because the down content of i.e. a duvet is one of the fundamental criteria for judging the product. In this case applies the formula: the higher the down content, the lower the filling weight and the higher its thermal insulation. If the down content is high, the duvet is usually of higher quality and more expensive than a duvet with a lower down content.
In this field consumers depend to a particularly high degree on coherent labelling.
The regulations concerning quality and labelling contained in the RAL 092 A2 version from 1932 have repeatedly undergone small amendments. The RAL definitions are based on the assumption that sales people present the different blends of down and feathers in showcases on site. In that situation it was easy to explain to every single customer the different notions, such as i.e. half-down, which did not contain 50 per cent down and 50 per cent feathers. Only then, the pillows and/or duvets were filled with the blend of down and feathers that the customer had chosen.
Until the beginning of the 1950s around 90 per cent of the down- and feather-filled bedding articles were sold by those specialty stores, where the tickings were filled according to the customers’ wishes. Since that time, their percentage has been in constant decline. Nowadays it is assessed to amount to about 25 per cent (according to estimates by the VDFI e. V., the German Down and Feather Association from 2005). Furthermore, even the specialized dealers do more and more without the on-site filling of bedding articles and rely increasingly upon finished products.
 
In the present situation, however, where the finished bedding articles are being sold and where there is no possibility for the customers to take a look at the different blends of feathers, the regulations of the old RAL 092 A2 proved to be unclear and confusing. Customers expected half-down to contain a proportion of weight of 50 per cent down and 50 per cent feathers, whereas the half-down filling was actually made of 15 per cent down and 85 per cent feathers, instead. Similarly, only very few consumers would associate the German term “original” with not previously used, new feathers.
 
The structure of the RAL was too unilaterally based on the obsolete assumption that the fillings were presented in open showcases. The current situation is, however, different and the structure of the RAL regulations made their adjustment to the needs of this changed situation impossible.
 

The differing labelling systems within Europe and the lack of comprehensibility of the old RAL concepts were the main reasons why a completely new labelling standard had to be formulated. The common efforts of the European countries resulted in the creation of the standard EN 12934.

Further information at :

 
Further information at DownCheck :
What regulations are laid down in the new standard EN 12934?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Etikettangaben Füllgutkennzeichnung DIN EN 12934

Why is a duvet I buy in Italy labelled with the UNI EN 12934? Is that duvet of a different quality?

In the case of a European standard such as the EN 12934 the procedure is as follows: the countries which have cooperated to formulate a European standard transfer the standard into national standard, after its text has been translated into the respective languages. In Germany the standard will then become a DIN standard, in Italy a UNI standard, in Great Britain a BS standard. The content of the standard will, however, not be affected by this.
All products which refer to the European standard EN 12934 must therefore fulfil the same requirements concerning the labelling.
In the case of a European standard such as the EN 12934 the procedure is as follows: the countries which have cooperated to formulate a European standard transfer the standard into national standard, after its text has been translated into the respective languages. In Germany the standard will then become a DIN standard, in Italy a UNI standard, in Great Britain a BS standard. The content of the standard will, however, not be affected by this.
All products which refer to the European standard EN 12934 must therefore fulfil the same requirements concerning the labelling.
 
 
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Füllgutkennzeichnung DIN EN 12934

What is the new standard EN 12934?

EN 12934 is a European standard for labelling the composition of down and feather fillings for use in finished articles. In particular, EN 12934 specifies
  • the indication of the filling composition (down percentage, feather percentage) and und
  • the classification of new material.
EN 12934 is a European standard for labelling the composition of down and feather fillings for use in finished articles. In particular, EN 12934 specifies
  • the indication of the filling composition (down percentage, feather percentage) and und
  • the classification of new material.

EN 12934 has been applied since 1999.
 
EN 12934 exclusively refers to the composition of fillings consisting of down and / or feathers.

It is only applicable to finished feathers and down and not to raw down and feathers.

Further information at :

 
Further information at DownCheck :
How are down and feathers processed into bedding articles? What regulations are laid down in the new standard EN 12934?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Etikettangaben

What are the indications reported on the label according to the new standard?

If a manufacturer labels his products according to the European standard – what he usually does - the consumer will find the following information on the label.
 
  • Is the filling labelled as new? This means that the filling does not contain any reprocessed material. Also the labelling component “class I” signifies that the filling consists of new material. Usually, the consumer is not aware of the meaning of the single classes. Therefore, the term “new” is usually stated on the label as well.

    For example:
If a manufacturer labels his products according to the European standard – what he usually does - the consumer will find the following information on the label.
 
  • Is the filling labelled as new? This means that the filling does not contain any reprocessed material. Also the labelling component “class I” signifies that the filling consists of new material. Usually, the consumer is not aware of the meaning of the single classes. Therefore, the term “new” is usually stated on the label as well.

    For example:
    white Hungarian new goose down and feathers, class I, 90 % down, 10 % feathers
     
  • Which fowl species provide the down/feathers? (By the way, instead of goose and / or duck the term waterfowl might be labelled at this point.) )

    In our example:
    white Hungarian new goose down and ‑feathers, class I, 90 % down, 10 % feathers
     
  • Then the class is indicated to which the filling has been assigned. It is a novelty that fillings consisting of down and feathers are assigned to classes. 

    There are seven classes ranging from I to VII. The first three classes (I to III) refer to down and feathers deriving from waterfowl, i. e. goose and duck. Fillings containing blends of landfowl and / or waterfowl are assigned to classes IV to VII.
     
  • Finally, the composition of the down and feather filling is labelled. It is indicated in weight percentage, namely in groups rounded to the nearest 10% stated in decreasing order – so the highest percentage is stated first.
    An exception from the rule which is mentioned above is fillings consisting of 85 % feathers and 15 % down, i. e. the former denomination “half down”.  
 
Further information at .
 
Further information at DownCheck :
What is the new standard EN 12934? What regulations are laid down in the new standard EN 12934?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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Füllgutkennzeichnung DIN EN 12934

What regulations are laid down in the new standard EN 12934?

In accordance with this standard the label shall report the following:
 
In accordance with this standard the label shall report the following:
 
In accordance with the new standard not all of the indications must be reported on the label.
  • The indication of the down and feather percentage is a mandatory requirement.
  • New material, class and fowl species are optional indications. However, they have to follow precise provisions. Information stated on the label has to meet the specifications stipulated in the standard.
  • Colour and provenance of the filling material are optional indications which have not been specified in the standard.
 
Information labelled in detail:
 

1. Filling composition: percentage of down, percentage of feathers

The composition of a filling consisting of down and / or feathers is indicated in percentage by weight.

Example:
100 % down or
70 % feathers, 30 % down
This is a mandatory piece of information.
 
With one exception (see below) the percentage content of down and feathers of a filling is stated in groups to rounded 10 % in decreasing order. The highest percentage shall be mentioned first.
 
Textiles are labelled in the same way (the largest percentage is disclosed first, then the other percentages are stated in decreasing order). When labelling textiles the fibre composition shall be indicated exactly in this manner (for instance: 95 % cotton, 5 % polyester). The labelling standard for down and feathers is modelled on textile product labelling which was actually an advantage to the consumers who had already been familiar with such a kind of labelling.
 
In the early 1990s, the European Commission ruled that a labelling regulation for feather and down fillings should be modelled on the EC council directive concerning textile product labelling.
 
The European directive concerning textile product labelling specifies the way the fibre composition shall be disclosed on labels attached to the products. "The percentages of the used textile basic materials shall be indicated in agreed percentages of the net weight. In fact, with textile products consisting of several fibres, the components shall be indicated in decreasing order of their aggregate percentage“" The regulation regarding fibre composition was to be transferred by analogy to the composition of the filling material consisting of down and feathers. Hence, it was claimed that the filling composition is reported on the label in down percentage and feather percentage.


An exception from the 10%-rule are blends of 85 % feathers and 15 % down – they were previously labelled as "half-down" (in Germany in accordance with the former RAL- regulation and as "feather/down”"in UK according to British standard).

 
 
 
The terms "new" and "class I" indicate, that the filling contains new waterfowl down and / or feathers (geese and / or duck).

Classification into a certain class already includes that the filling contains material which has not previously been used as filling maetrial. Class I containing down and feathers deriving from geese and ducks only applies to material which has not previously been used.

Experts identify new material in particular by the percentage of “other elements“ not to be confused with “foreign matter” such as wool or synthetic fibres. “Other elements“ definitely refer to down and feathers meaning down and feather fibres (small parts split off from down and feathers), damaged and broken feathers and residue.

 
New material is assigned to class I (waterfowl) and class IV (landfowl or blends of land- and waterfowl).
In this regard, only class I matters to the consumer.
 
Fillings with a percentage of other elements (broken feathers, down and feather fibres etc.) ranging from 5 % to 15 % are assigned to class II (waterfowl) and V (landfowl).
 
With fillings containing a percentage of "other elements" even exceeding 15% – class III with waterfowl, class VI with landfowl – the percentage of other elements shall mandatorily be disclosed on the label.
 
Hence, the terms "new" and / or "class I" may only be reported on the label with new waterfowl fillings with a percentage of other elements not exceeding 5 %.

 
 
 
The graduation of down and feathers into seven different classes is based on certain distinctive features.
 
1st criterion: Does the filling consist of waterfowl (goose and duck) or landfowl (chicken and turkey)?
 
2nd criterion: Is the filling composed of new or reprocessed down and feathers? New material is perceptible by a percentage of so-called "other elements" below 5 % (down and feather fibres, i. e. small parts split off from down and feathers, damaged and broken feathers and residue).
 
Only down and / or feathers deriving from goose or duck are suitable as filling material for bedding products. They are assigned to classes I to III within which only class I stands for new feathers and down.
Hence, class I which is most suitable for duvets and pillows signifies "new down and/ or feathers deriving from goose and / or duck."

Thanks to the question "waterfowl or landfowl?" the classes can be divided into two large groups:
Classes I to III are limited to waterfowl (goose or duck).
Classes IV to VI refer to landfowl and blends of landfowl and waterfowl. Class VII stands for "unspecified compositions".
 
In each group "new material" is on top of the list (with a percentage of other elements not exceeding 5 %). Hence, new material is on top of the list within the group of "waterfowl" (classes I to III) and therefore classified as class I. In the group "landfowl" new material is assigned to class IV.
 
  Percentage of other elements (%) Classification Components and composition

Waterfowl fillings
(Goose and duck)		 up to 5 "class I" and / or "new" Down ...%
Feather ...%
more than 5 to 15 "class II" Down ...%
Feather ...%
more than 15 "class III" Down ...%
Feather ...%
other elements ...%

Fillings consisting of landfowl or land- and waterfowl		 up to 5 "class IV" and / or
"new"		 Down ...%
Feather ...%
more than 5 to 15 "class V" Down ...%
Feather ...%
more than 15 "class VI" Down ...%
Feather ...%
andere Elemente ...%
    "class VII" (unspecified composition)

 

 
 
 
Predominantly down and feathers from geese and ducks are significant for bedding products. In accordance with EN 12934 they may also be labelled waterfowl down and / or feathers.

 

However, if down and / or feathers from goose and / or duck are labelled instead of just “waterfowl down / feathers“, the respective percentage of goose and duck down / feathers has to be indicated as well. Hence, "pure goose down / feathers" signifies that the filling contains a percentage of goose of at least 90 %. The fowl species is an optional label information. If the fowl species is disclosed, it shall be labelled in accordance with the following chart:

 

Waterfowl species - Examples for appropriate labelling in correspondence with percentages
 Percentage(s) Composition  Denominations
100
0
 to
to		  90,0
9,9
Goose
Duck
  pure Goose
 89.9
10.0
to
to
  70,0
29,9
Goose
Duck
  Goose
 69.9
30.0
to
to
  50,0
49,9
Goose
Duck
  Goose / Duck
69.9
30.0
 to
to
  50,0
49,9
Goose
Duck
  Duck / Goose
 89.9
10.0
to
to
  70,0
29,9
Goose
Duck
  Duck
 100
0
to
to
  90,0
9,9
Goose
Duck
  pure Duck

Accordingly, the addition “pure“ is only permitted with a percentage of the fowl species of at least 90%.

 

Further information at DownCheck :
Is the new labelling a product of the European regulation paranoia? May the terms defined in the RAL such as “feathers which have not previously been used“, “half-down“ and so on still be used? What do the terms „waterfowl“ / „landfowl“ stand for? Which birds grow down for bedding articles? What is the basis of the insulating effect of down and feathers? Do chicken feathers also suit as filling material for duvets?
Source: Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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