Certifications ensure sustainable fur for fashion

Saga Furs requires certifications from its suppliers. This way we can assure equally high levels of animal welfare and environmental performance.

Saga Furs has been creating, implementing, developing and monitoring farm certification programmes since 2005. This has been done to make sure that the animal husbandry and environmental performance is at the top level. Through certifications we guarantee equal welfare for animals in all the farms which have passed the certification audits. To make sure that the certifications are done properly, on time and thoroughly, we have third-party auditors for the certifications. This very strict and inclusive approach puts fur farming well ahead of other industries with production animals.

Saga Furs started working with certification criteria to show that we have both the knowledge and a clear understanding of animal health, behavior and safety. The first ever certification programme in the fur industry, called Saga Certification, was created by Saga Furs and the Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association in 2005. The certification has since evolved in close cooperation with the industry, local and national authorities, the European Union, and veterinarians specialised in fur farming. From 2017, Saga Certification has included the WelFur protocol, which is an additional science-based animal welfare assessment created on the European level. Moreover, from 2021 onwards, Saga Furs accepts all pelts that are under the comprehensive Furmark certification system.

Independently audited and verified programmes

Saga Furs has been a vital developer of Furmark, the most recent industry certification. Through Furmark, the whole fur value chain from farm to retail is certified. This means that in addition to the fur pelts, also the dressing, dyeing and manufacturing of furs are under respective certification schemes. Furmark guarantees environmentally the most advanced manufacturing processes on top of certified fur farming.

 

The Furmark certification system recognises several certification schemes, which are all third party audited. If a garment has a Saga Furs label on it, the fur comes from certified farms. With Furmark, the whole fur value chain is certified and the chain can be traced.

Saga Furs part in Furmark is to provide certified pelts. By offering only 100% certified mink, fox, Finnraccoon and sable pelts in its auctions, we make a commitment to the most ethical and sustainable fur production. We continuously develop certification programmes to ensure they meet the high standards that go well beyond what the laws requires. As a result, Saga Furs has become the trusted partner of the fashion industry in providing sustainable and ethical furs.

Main principles of the certification programmes accepted by Saga Furs

The aim of Saga Furs accepted certifications is to ensure that best practices are applied to animal welfare. The programmes are designed to provide an objective and reliable on-farm animal welfare assessment that acknowledges the annual cycle of the farms. The fur animal certification programmes include several principles that cover multiple specific animal welfare criteria. As animal welfare is at the heart of the certifications, most of the principles are designed to assess good husbandry. The principles include

• Health: Animal welfare is promoted with immediate and preventive measures for disease and injury.
• Housing: Comfortable and safe housing, adjusted to the various cycles of the farm. This includes also thermal comfort and ease of movement.
• Feeding: The fur animals are fed regularly with food and drink that fulfils their nutritional needs during the annual cycle.
• Behaviour: Animal behaviour is monitored by several criteria including human-animal relationship and positive emotional state.
• Environment: A neat and tidy farm environment promotes welfare and comfort for both the animals and the farmer. This means that a certified fur farm minimises its impact on the surrounding nature, including waste management and the watering system.
• Training: Fur farming is a profession which requires solid hands-on competence and professional development on an annual basis. A certified farm is well equipped to act also in exceptional situations deviating from day-to-day routines.

Read more:
…about Saga Furs’ certifications
…about WelFur
…about Furmark