STATUS OF USA Federal Standard 148a

This standard and test methods was published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on December 10, 1964.

Federal Standard No. 148a is NO LONGER VALID.

Also the USA FTC “Guidelines” for down and feathers published in 1971 is NO LONGER VALID.

In the USA, the only valid labeling standard is the USA-2000 Standard for down and feather products. The only valid test methods are the IDFB Test Methods. The USA-2000 label standards and the IDFB test methods are accepted by ASTM, the American Down and Feather Council (ADFC), and the International Association of Bedding and Furniture Law Officials (IABFLO).

All specifications and documents which contain the term Federal Standard 148a should be changed to one or more of the following:

• USA-2000 Standard
  (Labeling Rules for Down and Feather Products) (Applies to all bedding and all apparel products)
  
• IDFB Test Regulations
  (Test Methods for Down & Feathers)
  
• ASTM D-4522
  Performance Specifications for Down and Feather Fillings for Textile Products.
  (Description of the USA-2000 Labeling Standard with References to the IDFB Testing Regulations.)