PRAUDEN obtains IDFB Recognition of Qualified Company Inspection Lab for four consecutive years
2021-04-13
Down and feather are very sensitive materials. When it comes to quality inspections, even the tiniest factors may cause variations in test results for down or feather from the same lot. And this justifies the need to find and check test reports from accredited inspections laboratories when buying down and feather.
The International Down and Feather Bureau (IDFB) introduced a recognition system in 2008 with the aim to ensure that all independent inspection labs around the world offer the same quality of inspections and extended the recognition program to company inspection labs in 2016. The PRAUDEN Cheonan Factory was the first in Korea to obtain the IDFB Recognition of Qualified Company Inspection Lab.
Relevant article: Obtained ‘IDFB Enterprise Inspection Certification’ for the first time in Korea.
This year, PRAUDEN re-qualified itself for the IDFB recognition as did in the last three years, demonstrating its down and feather testing capabilities and public trust comparable to that of accredited inspection laboratories.
International Down and Feather Bureau (IDFB)
Founded in 1953, the IDFB is the world’s only organization dedicated to developing and evaluating international standard test methods for down and feather. The IDFB Testing Regulations are used as the international standard to evaluate the quality of down and feather, and the bureau carries out regular assessments of down and feather product inspection laboratories to control the global down and feather quality standards. Inspection laboratories that issue test reports for textiles, for example the FITI Testing & Research Institute and the Korea Apparel Testing and Research Institute, undergo independent inspection lab recognition process from the IDFB.
This allows for providing customers with clear-cut criteria to determine the quality of down and feather, and producers with instant and accurate intelligence on the down market.
As an official member company of the IDFB, PRAUDEN complies with the country-specific down and feather insulation standard and the IDFB Testing Regulations.
| Year of Establishment | 1953 |
| Headquarter | Josef Huter Strasse 31 6900 Bregenz, Austria |
| Website | www.idfb.net |
| Members (as of Feb., 2021) | 45 Members from 27 Different Countries |
<IDFB overview>
<IDFB Testing Regulations>
IDFB inspection lab recognition system
The Round Robin Test (RRT) is an annual test conducted by the IDFB for its members as an international recognition system to maintain the quality of their inspections. Every year, the same sample is distributed to members all across the globe, and the members conduct tests under the IDFB Testing Regulations. The IDFB analyzes the test results received to assess the inspection laboratories and keep the quality of their inspections at a uniform level. Thoroughly qualified, laboratories that pass the annual RRT are considered to have testing skills and techniques comparable to accredited testing laboratories and recognized for high-quality and trustworthiness.
<IDFB Qualification Criteria for Inspection Labs>
PRAUDEN recognized by the IDFB for four consecutive years
PRAUDEN’s Cheonan inspection lab obtained the first IDFB recognition in Korea in 2018 and has retained the recognition for four years in a row, being recognized for its decades-long experience and technological expertise in testing and analysis. In 2020, VINA PRAUDEN in Vietnam and NPA in China, too, obtained the same recognition. All three countries’ facilities offering the same level of quality control compliant with the international standards mean the abilities to respond to global brands’ expectations and circumstances and greater convenience for customers.
In addition, thorough quality control from purchase to shipping ensures stable and trustworthy quality. Ex-post quality control relying on outsourced inspection services often leads to issues and problems found after materials already put into the production line, hence loss of time and money.
PRAUDEN’s all three corporations passed the strict international standards thanks to their untiring efforts for world-leading down quality and technology. The IDFB recognition guarantees the quality stability of all processes at PRAUDEN and will allow the brand to further strengthen its trustworthiness and competitiveness as the first down specialist in Korea.
By Lee Sukyung, Brand Part
