Are there synthetic down available in the market?

The term “synthetic down“ is an improper, misleading invention and must not be used in advertisements for bedding products.

 

According to a decision by the Provincial High Court of Appeal in Stuttgart, Germany, it is illegitimate to use the term “synthetic down“ in advertisements for bedding products. The Federal Court did not accept the appeal of the defendant. (OLG Stuttgart (Provincial High Court of Appeal in Stuttgart) 2 U 86/99 - BGH, decision dated 21st September 2000, 1 ZR 287/99)

 

The court stated that the use of the specification “synthetic down“ is a consumer deception. Since the term “down“ has always been used to label a top-quality natural product, you could get the impression that “synthetic down” are natural down which have been treated with additives. In fact, in the case of the matter of dispute, the material contained 100 % of high-bulk polyester hollow fibres and did not offer any of the essential characteristics of natural down deriving from waterfowl.

 

As we have been informed by the associations of manufacturers of down-and feather-filled bedding products, synthetic-filled products have not acquired the properties of down, so far. Therefore, in future the consumer can take it that only those products may be labelled as down that really deserve it, that is to say incomparable top-quality natural products.

 

For this reason the term “down“ combined with the term “synthetic“ is deceptive, since it suggests to the consumer that synthetic material is similar to down which is a product of nature.

Also in the future, the consumer can expect that only pure down which earn the reputation, that is to say the top-quality unique product of nature, may be labelled as down.

 

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