Content Analysis. Standard – EN 12131 (IDFB 3)

Down content refers to the proportion of down in the specific amount of feather & down filling material.

Down content is one of the most critical quality measurement indicators for feather & down raw materials and finished products.
Down content is also the critical factor that will influence the price in the feather & down trading.
Higher down content usually represents the better fill power performance and insulation ability of a down product.

According to The International Down and Feather Bureau (IDFB) the
definition for Down Cluster is a group of components including down,
nestling down, and plumules.

The percents of Down Clusters: The higher the number of clusters, the better the down (85% - 95%)

Amount of down and feather fibers (down fiber + feather fiber):
The fewer fibers, the better the down.

Duck and goose are types of waterfowl.
Geese are generally larger than ducks and they have longer neck (the way scientists differentiate between ducks and geese is based on how many bones they have in their necks) and longer legs compared to ducks.
Ducks are omnivores, geese are herbivores.

Goose down is generally much more expensive than duck down.
It has high fill power, insulation power, and minimal odor issues.
Goose down cluster is commonly larger and stronger than duck down.

Goose down has a higher value when compared to duck down.
Less duck down within goose down - more expensive down filler.

According to the USA 2000 Labeling standard, all goods products must contain 90 % goose down.

In European Labeling standard EN 12934, the amount of goose required
is a minimum of 90 % goose for labeling products us Pure Goose down, and 70% - 89,9% for labeling – Goose down.

Turbidity is the first of the key indicators, which represent the cleanliness of feather & down materials (measured in millimeters).

The higher the turbidity level, the cleaner the down is washed and the less inorganic contamination in it. According to the European Standard, turbidity must be more than 300 mm. Down is considered hypoallergenic if the turbidity is higher than 500mm. Today 1000 mm or greater is the standard for Premium quality down.

Oxygen Number is the second of the key indicators in a quality down evaluation (measured in mg / 100g).

The lower the oxygen level, the cleaner the down is washed and the less organic pollution it contains. For the European Standard, this is less than 10.

Requirement for Hypoallergenic or Super-Clean Claims Oxygen of 4.8 or less.

Fat & Oil is the third of the key indicators,
which represent the cleanliness of feather & down materials after the washing process (measured in %).

Perfectly washed down should have a fat content of 0.8% to 1.2%.

Fill power is the volume that 30 grams of down will occupy in cubic inches. The higher the number, the more fill power there is.
Fill power is known as the insulation quality of the goose and duck down.

The Excellent down comes from mature geese.

Fill power differences originate with the age of the bird from which the down was collected. Mature birds have larger individual down feathers, creating a fluffier, higher-quality down with a higher fill power. Younger birds have smaller sizes down clusters which have lower fill power.
The larger the down cluster the better the insulating power.

• 550−650 Medium
• 650−700 Good
• 700−750 Very Good
• 750−850 Excellent

Down Fill Power ratings are especially important in outdoor products.
For first, higher FP means less weight for the same amount of warmth.
For the second, a higher FP rating means that the product is more compressible. And of course, higher FP levels equal better insulating ability.
Insulating power, weight, and compressibility are more important characteristics for extreme outdoor equipment.