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Bedding and furniture law officials from across the country met in Cincinnati yesterday with representatives from major retailers including L.L. Bean, Federated, Eddie Bauer, Bloomingdale’s and Marmot to discuss the new international down and feather standard developed by an employee of the Ohio Department of Commerce.

"Our lab analysis program has always been committed to ensuring consumer safety and welfare, and I am pleased that we are at the forefront of the new standard," said Dave Williamson, superintendent of Commerce's Division of Industrial Compliance. "This standard raises the bar in protecting consumers of down products."

A panel of experts led the discussion on the new standard and how it affects industry and protect consumers. Members of the panel included: William Cale, Department of Commerce chemist and national laboratory chairman of ABFLO (Association of Bedding and Furniture Law Officials); Larry Brown, chief of Commerce’s bedding and upholstered furniture section, current board member and former president of ABFLO; Carol Jennings, attorney for the Federal Trade Commission; and Wilford Lieber, representative of the International Down and Feather Bureau.

The new standard replaces the original Federal Trade Commission standard set in 1968. The former standard required products labeled "down" to contain 70% down. However, industry was allowed a 30% tolerance level to accommodate the imprecise nature of processing and manufacturing. The results were "down" products that contained as little as 40% down material. As the precision of manufacturing increased over the years, the large tolerance allowed manufacturers to skirt the spirit of the standard and effectively aim for the 40% mark instead of the intended 70% mark.

Mr. Cale, in his role as national laboratory chairman for ABFLO, began rewriting the standard in 1998. As a result of the changes, the product quality of feather and down merchandise sold in the United States will be considerably enhanced. Under the new standard, a product must have a minimum of 75% "Down" with no tolerance. The product must also state on a label whether or not it contains only the minimum of 75% or has a higher content of down. The standard applies to all down products manufactured in the United States, as well as those products imported into the United States. Manufacturers and retailers have until June 1, 2001, when the new standard takes effect, to deplete current stock or affix the new labels.

In Ohio, down products, along with other "stuffed" products such as bedding, upholstered furniture and toys are regulated by the Ohio Department of Commerce. These products are tested at the department's laboratory in Cambridge, where Mr. Cale works.

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Media wishing to interview William Cale of Cambridge or Larry Brown of Reynoldsburg should call Bill Teets or Thom Ratcliff at the above numbers.

 

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