EN 12131:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a method for the determination of the composition of feather and/or down fit for or constituting filled manufactured articles in order to label and/or mark it or to verify the denominations reported on the label.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2026
• ICS: 59.040 - Textile auxiliary materials
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 443 - Feather and down
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 443 - Feather and down
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 01-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 15-Mar-2027
• Completion Date: 01-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 12131:2026 - Feather and down - Test methods - Determination of the quantitative composition of feather and down (manual method)

• Replaces: EN 12131:2018 - Feather and down - Test methods - Determination of the quantitative composition of feather and down (manual method)
• Effective Date: 24-Jan-2024
• Referred By: EN 13186:2004 - Feather and down - Specification for feather and down filled bedding articles
• Effective Date: 08-Jul-2026
• Referred By: EN 12934:1999 - Feather and down - Composition labelling of processed feathers and down for use as sole filling material
• Effective Date: 08-Jul-2026
• Referred By: EN 13536:2001 - Manufactured articles filled with feather and down - Requirements for clothing - Light use
• Effective Date: 08-Jul-2026
• Referred By: EN 13854:2003 - Manufactured articles solely filled with feather and down - Requirements for upholstered parts and cushions
• Effective Date: 08-Jul-2026

Overview

EN 12131:2026 - Feather and Down – Test Methods – Determination of the Quantitative Composition of Feather and Down (Manual Method) is a European Standard established by CEN/TC 443. This standard defines a precise manual method for determining the quantitative composition of feather and down used in filled manufactured articles. The process is essential for accurate product labeling and for verifying label claims in accordance with legal and industry requirements. EN 12131:2026 helps ensure product transparency, consumer protection, and uniformity within the feather and down industry.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application: EN 12131:2026 specifies procedures for manually separating and quantifying the different components of feather and down in finished articles and fillings, supporting accurate labeling and product claims verification.
• Manual Separation Method: The methodology involves physically separating feather and down elements using specialized apparatus such as a separation box, precise weighing containers, tweezers, and analytical balance in controlled atmospheric conditions.
• Sampling and Preparation: Detailed procedures are outlined for sampling from bulk fillings, conditioning according to standard atmospheres (EN ISO 139), and preparing test specimens to ensure homogeneity and repeatability.
• Quantitative Analysis: The standard describes how to classify and weigh individual components (e.g. waterfowl feathers, down, landfowl feathers, fibre elements, quill feathers, milled feathers, and foreign matter) for accurate proportional analysis.
• Report Requirements: Test reporting under EN 12131:2026 includes all relevant identification, procedural details, and quantitative results, with explicit tolerances for testing variance and criteria for validating results.

Applications

EN 12131:2026 is vital for a variety of stakeholders in the feather and down industry, including:

• Manufacturers of Bedding, Apparel, and Outdoor Gear: To accurately declare, mark, and label the content of feather and down in products such as duvets, pillows, jackets, and sleeping bags, ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory demands.
• Testing Laboratories: For standardized, repeatable evaluation and verification of product composition, supporting both quality assurance and consumer confidence.
• Retailers and Brands: To assure consumers of authenticity and ethical sourcing claims, reducing liability and improving transparency in marketing and sales documentation.
• Regulatory and Certification Bodies: For compliance assessment, market surveillance, and enforcement relating to the correct labeling of filled textile goods in accordance with European and national regulations.

By applying EN 12131:2026, organizations achieve greater quality control in feather and down products, prevent misleading labeling, and harmonize market practices across the industry.

Related Standards

For comprehensive quality and compliance management, EN 12131:2026 is often used alongside other related standards:

• EN 1883: Feather and Down – Sampling in View of Tests: Details the proper procedures for obtaining representative samples from bulk materials.
• EN 1885: Feather and Down – Terms and Definitions: Provides standardized terminology to support consistent classification and communication.
• EN ISO 139: Textiles – Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing: Sets atmospheric conditions vital for consistency in testing.
• EN 12934: Feather and Down – Composition Labelling Requirements: Defines legal and industry requirements for marking nominal percentages on product labels.

Adoption and correct implementation of EN 12131:2026 and its related documents support traceability, consumer trust, and harmonized trade across national and European markets for feather and down filled products.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Perje in puh - Preskusne metode - Ugotavljanje količinske sestave perja in puha
(ročna metoda)
Feather and down - Test methods - Determination of the quantitative composition of
feather and down (manual method)
Federn und Daunen - Prüfverfahren - Bestimmung der quantitativen Zusammensetzung
von Federn und Daunen (manuelles Verfahren)
Plumes et duvets - Méthodes d'essais - Détermination de la composition quantitative de
plumes et duvets (méthode manuelle)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12131:2026
ICS:
59.040 Pomožni materiali za tekstilije Textile auxiliary materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 12131
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 59.040 Supersedes EN 12131:2018
English Version
Feather and down - Test methods - Determination of the
quantitative composition of feather and down (manual
method)
Plumes et duvets - Méthodes d'essai - Détermination Federn und Daunen - Prüfverfahren - Bestimmung der
de la composition quantitative des plumes et duvets quantitativen Zusammensetzung von Federn und
(méthode manuelle) Daunen (manuelles Verfahren)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 31 May 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12131:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
4.1 General. 4
5 Apparatus . 4
6 Sampling, conditioning and preparation of the test specimens . 5
7 Procedure . 5
7.1 General. 5
7.2 First separation . 5
7.3 Second separation . 7
7.4 Milled feathers . 8
8 Calculation and expression of results . 9
8.1 Calculation of the component portions . 9
8.2 Determination of the need for additional testing . 11
8.3 Expression of results . 11
9 Testing variance . 11
10 Test report . 11
Bibliography . 12

European foreword
This document (EN 12131:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 443 “Feather and
down”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2027 and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 12131:2018.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— term and definition 3.1 have been newly introduced;
— a new note to 5.1 has been added;
— in 8.3 the decimal points have been upgraded from at least one to two decimal points.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of the composition of feather and/or down fit
for or constituting filled manufactured articles in order to label and/or mark it or to verify the
denominations reported on the label.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1883, Feather and down — Sampling in view of tests
EN 1885, Feather and down — Terms and definitions
EN ISO 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing (ISO 139)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1885 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
substantial element
any element having a mass ≥ 7 % of the total mass in any of the specimen
Note 1 to entry: The average mass is calculated with two tests.
4 Principle
4.1 General
A known quantity of the filling material, sampled according to EN 1883, is separated by hand into its
elements. The elements are collected into separate containers, which are suitably marked.
The content of each container is weighed in order to determine the mass of the element concerned and
therefore to calculate the relative percentages.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Box for the manual separation (separation box), usually consisting of the following parts:
— dark coloured and smooth base about 450 mm in length and about 300 mm in width, having a
suitable fixture or area to insert the containers into;
— front part about 150 mm high open or provided with two openings wide enough to permit the
operators’ hands to enter the box;
— back part about 300 mm high;
— two side parts fit for front and back parts;
— cover, to avoid air draughts during the execution of the test, made of glass or other transparent
material to permit the separation of the elements;
— lamp to allow the illumination of the box.
NOTE It has been experienced that lamps with heat emission especially if placed too close to the specimen
might decrease its moisture content.
5.2 Weighing containers, made of aluminium or other light antistatic material fit to contain and weigh
the different elements of the filling, with a capacity up to 400 ml.
5.3 Tweezers, fit to pick the single elements.
5.4 Analytical balance, with a readability (d) of 0,1 mg or better.
Keep attention on a non-ionized electro statical environment around the balance.
5.5 Mixing container with base dimensions of 300 mm × 300 mm and 150 mm high.
5.6 Flat, soft, non-electrostatic brush, from 2 cm to 3 cm wide.
6 Sampling, conditioning and preparation of the test specimens
6.1 Carry the sampling out according to EN 1883.
6.2 Condition the samples according to EN ISO 139.
6.3 Draw a sample of no less than 30 g from the conditioned laboratory global sample. Pu
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