International Fur Trade Federation

What International Fur Trade Federation does

The International Fur Trade Federation (IFF), founded in 1949 and headquartered in Villemomble, France, is the global trade association for the international fur industry. It represents 56 member associations spanning more than 40 countries, covering the full fur value chain: farmers, trappers, dressers, manufacturers, brokers, auction houses, retailers, and designers. All members sign a binding code of conduct committing them to uphold industry-relevant laws in their home countries. CEO Mark Oaten leads the organization, which operates with a headcount in the 101-250 range.

IFF's core technology asset is Furmark, a comprehensive global certification and traceability program that is described as science-based, third-party certified, and transparent, and is backed by a registered trademark. The platform is being migrated from Chainpoint to a bespoke Furmark Platform, with a companion Furmark Mobile App extending on-the-go access. Surrounding the core platform, IFF runs a portfolio of member-facing programs: Furmark Futures (an annual innovation competition for emerging designers), Furmark Pavilions at major trade fairs (MODA China 2026, Hong Kong Fur & Fashion Fair 2026), the IFF Global Fashion Shoot campaign, and the IFF Fairs portfolio including the IFF Fur & Leather Expo (5th edition). Kopenhagen Fur and EFUR Auction joined as auction house members in 2025.

IFF operates a dual revenue model. The primary stream is recurring membership dues paid by the 56 national associations. A secondary stream was added through a new levy agreement with AME (Auction Marketing Europe), a transaction-fee structure tied to auction house volumes. Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored on the federation's international trade fairs and fashion campaigns, with content and community engagement via the @WEAREFUR and @FURINSIDER Instagram channels and the Furmark and IFF websites.

Name

International Fur Trade Federation

Legal name

International Fur Federation

Website

https://wearefur.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The International Fur Trade Federation, founded in 1949, is the global trade association for the fur industry, representing 56 member associations across 40+ countries. It operates the Furmark certification and traceability platform, runs international fur trade fairs, and funds operations through membership dues and auction-house levies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association Services (Fur Industry)

NAICS

Fur-Bearing Animal and Rabbit Production (112930)

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Welfare Certification Services (AFALAMAE), Fur-Bearing Animal Farming (Mink, Fox, Chinchilla) (AFAEAIAG), Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Fur trade federation
• Fur industry certification
• Supply chain traceability
• Trade association services
• Fashion sustainability standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Villemomble

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: 56 member associations pay dues to be part of the International Fur Federation network representing farmers, trappers, dressers, manufacturers, brokers, auction houses, retailers and designers across 40+ countries
2. Levy Agreements: New levy agreement with AME (auction houses/members) generating revenue from transaction volumes

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The International Fur Federation operates as a global trade federation for the fur industry, with its central offering being the Furmark certification and traceability program — a science-based, third-party certified standard covering farmers, trappers, dressers, manufacturers, brokers, auction houses, retailers, and designers. It complements this with industry trade fair organization (IFF Fairs, Hong Kong Fur & Fashion Fair, MODA China Pavilions), a dedicated Furmark traceability platform and mobile app, the Furmark Futures designer innovation program, and industry representation for 56 member associations across more than 40 countries bound by a strict code of conduct.

Product overview

The International Fur Federation operates primarily as a trade association and event organizer for the global fur industry, representing 56 member associations across over 40 countries. Its core product is the Furmark certification and traceability platform—a science-based, third-party certified program ensuring transparency across the fur supply chain. Furmark serves as the central platform with multiple integrated offerings: the Furmark Mobile App provides mobile access; Furmark Futures supports emerging designers through annual competitions; Furmark Pavilions organize exhibition spaces at major trade fairs; and the IFF Global Fashion Shoot campaigns promote fur fashion worldwide. The federation also organizes its own trade fairs including the IFF Fairs and the annual Hong Kong Fur & Fashion Fair. All members sign a strict code of conduct committing to industry-relevant laws in their home countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Furmark: Comprehensive global certification and traceability programme that is science-based, third-party certified, and transparent.

Products and services

• Furmark Certification Program A comprehensive global certification and traceability program for fur products that is science-based, third-party certified, and transparent, covering all parts of the fur trade including farmers, trappers, dressers, manufacturers, brokers, auction houses, retailers, and designers.
• Furmark Mobile App Mobile application providing on-the-go access to the Furmark certification and traceability platform for industry stakeholders across the global fur value chain.
• Furmark Futures Flagship innovation program supporting emerging fur designers and sustainable innovation in the fur industry, featuring annual finalist competitions and brand promotion through Furmark.
• IFF Fairs (including IFF Fur & Leather Expo) Trade fair events organized by the International Fur Federation, including the IFF Fur & Leather Expo (5th edition concluded), connecting global fur industry participants across manufacturing, retail, and design.
• Hong Kong Fur & Fashion Fair Annual international fur trade fair organized in collaboration with Hong Kong Fur & Fashion Fair, bringing together industry stakeholders for networking and business development, featuring a dedicated Furmark Pavilion.
• IFF Global Fashion Shoot Campaign Annual worldwide fur business collaborative campaign and fashion initiative (e.g., 2025 Furmark Exclusive Global Fashion Shoot) promoting certified fur products globally through fashion photography.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and core.

• MODA ChinamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Exclusive opportunity for MODA China 2026 featuring a dedicated Furmark Pavilion, promoting certified fur products to the Chinese market.
• Furmark FuturesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Flagship innovation program announcing 2026 finalists, supporting emerging talent and innovation in the fur industry with Furmark branding and promotion.
• Kopenhagen FurcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKopenhagen Fur has joined as a new auction house member of the International Fur Federation, strengthening the federation's auction house representation in the fur trade.
• EFUR AuctioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFUR Auction has joined the International Fur Federation as a member, expanding the federation's auction house network.
• AME (Auction Marketing Europe)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew levy agreement established between IFF and AME (Auction Marketing Europe), facilitating financial arrangements for auction house members.
• Hong Kong Fur & Fashion FairmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerIFF collaboration with Hong Kong Fur & Fashion Fair 2026, featuring a Furmark Pavilion for certified fur products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): International non-profit running the leading certification and eco-label for sustainable seafood. Comparable as a high-profile traceability and certification program for a contested natural resource.
• Fairtrade International: Multi-stakeholder organization running the Fairtrade certification and label across agricultural commodities. Comparable in delivering an internationally recognized ethical-supply-chain label, though at much larger scale.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Global non-profit setting forest management and chain-of-custody certification standards. Comparable as the canonical example of a third-party certification system that legitimized a previously contested raw material through traceability.
• American Apparel & Footwear Association: US national trade association representing apparel, footwear, and other sewn products companies. Comparable in operating model as an industry association providing advocacy, standards, and events for fashion supply-chain members.

Emerging players

• Sustainable Apparel Coalition: Industry coalition for sustainable apparel, footwear and textiles, known for the Higg Index. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder coalition building sustainability standards across the fashion value chain, partially overlapping IFF's traceability ambition.

Direct peers

• International Council of Tanners: International body representing the global leather tanning industry. Comparable as a federation for an adjacent animal-derived materials industry, with a similar industry-representation and standards-promotion remit.
• British Fur Trade Association: UK-based trade body representing the fur trade. Directly comparable as a national-level federation of fur industry members with a code of conduct and promotional remit.
• Textile Exchange: Global non-profit driving standards and certification for preferred fibers and materials (including wool and other animal fibers). Comparable as a materials-focused certification/standards body serving fashion and textile supply chains.
• Leather Working Group: A multi-stakeholder group that certifies leather manufacturers and tanneries on environmental and social compliance. Directly comparable to IFF/Furmark as an industry-led certification body for an animal-derived material supply chain.
• Responsible Jewellery Council: Standards-setting and certification body for the jewellery supply chain covering mining through retail. Closely comparable in operating model — a third-party certified traceability/certification program for a controversial raw material.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/we_are_fur

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Fur Trade Federation