In the past, people knew labels to mean record labels, i.e. the brand name for the distribution of certain types of music.
Today, labels are rather more thought of as fashion labels.
By label, we mean the name or label that is given to goods, a product, or a company when the requirements of certain standards and specifications are met.
We can basically distinguish between product and system labels. In other words, those that refer to the product and those that evaluate the production, creation, handling.
We are the publisher of the label:
ECO₂L Energy Controlled Leather
The ECO₂L (Energy Controlled Leather) label is the world’s first calculation and auditing model for determining energy efficiency and CO₂ emissions for a tannery. The tool is based on DIN CEN/TR 16998:2017-06 and previously resulted in an operational CO₂ footprint, a Corporate Carbon Footprint CCF.
In 2021, the tool was further developed and now also offers a product-related CO₂ footprint, a Product Carbon Footprint PCF, in addition to the energy-related considerations for the operation.
A statement can be made on the energy efficiency, the CO₂ footprint of the tannery (CCF) and the leather that is produced (PCF) with this tool.
The label we issue is awarded by the independent FILK Freiberg Institute gGmbH and the ICEC Institute of Quality Certification for the Leather Sector. Auditing is carried out on behalf of FILK / ICEC by independent and officially appointed auditors.
Other labels / certificates that our members maintain or that will be of interest to you:
Eco-certificate of the Leather Working Group
A certificate awarded by the Leather Working Group in three quality levels (gold, silver, bronze) to tanneries that meet the highest standards of environmentally compatible leather production.
Blue Angel for leather
(low-emission leather RAL UZ 148)
The Blue Angel for low-emission leathers certifies that the leathers have been produced in an environmentally friendly manner and are free of substances that are hazardous to health – under consideration of indoor air quality.
Blue Angel for shoes
(RAL UZ 155)
The Blue Angel for shoes labels shoes manufactured in an environmentally compatible manner and tested for harmful substances, as well as the materials used for this purpose, such as leather. In addition to environmental and health protection requirements, it also includes specifications for high social standards.
General Quality and Inspection Regulations for Furniture of the German Furniture Quality Association DGM
(RAL GZ 430)
The DGM quality mark formulates environmental and health protection regulations for furniture and its materials such as leather.
Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. – RAL
Note: All of the Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. (RAL) quality labels mentioned here are available exclusively from Beuth Verlag (www.beuth.de).
LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®
The end product – i.e. the leather, bag, trousers, etc. – should be free of harmful substances. The LEATHER STANDARD label indicates that the labelled item has been successfully tested for chemicals that pose a health risk.
STeP by OEKO-TEX®
This is a corporate certification for sustainable leather production, including social aspects of production. STeP stands out from other certification systems in that it not only considers individual sustainability aspects, but also carries out a holistic analysis and evaluation of production conditions.
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® is a traceable product label for all types of textiles and leather goods that have been produced in environmentally friendly factories and in safe and socially responsible workplaces.
ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®
ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for chemicals, dyes and auxiliaries used in the textile and leather industry.
Label Overview
| Certification name | Brief description | Certification type |
| Blue Angel |
The Blue Angel was used as the role model for the ISO 14024 standard (Environmental labels and declarations – Type I environmental labelling – Principles and procedures). This is an international standard upon which many new global environmental labels are based today. Environmental labelling programmes that operate in accordance with ISO 14024 (so-called Type-1 ecolabels). |
Eco-label |
| DIN EN ISO 9001 | Quality management systems – Requirements | |
| LWG Leather Working Group |
The Leather Working Group is a not-for-profit organization that is responsible for the world’s leading environmental certification for the leather manufacturing industry. It is a multi-stakeholder group. LWG Leather Manufacturer Audit Protocol – assesses the environmental performance and compliance of leather manufacturing facilities (tanneries). |
|
| ECO₂L | Energy efficiency and CO₂ footprint of a tannery (CCF) and of the leather that is produced (PCF). | |
| LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® | The final product – i.e. the leather, bag, trousers, etc. – should contain no harmful substances. | |
| STeP by OEKO-TEX® | This is a company certification for sustainable leather production, including social aspects of production. | |
| MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® | A combination of both OEKO-TEX Leather und OEKO-TEX Step for leather or final leather products (containing no harmful substances AND produced in STeP-certified companies). | |
| ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® | This focuses on chemicals for leather production that contain no harmful substances. | |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. | |
| ISO 14044 | Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines | |
| DIN EN 16887 : 2017 | Leather – Environmental footprint – Product Category Rules (PCR) – Carbon footprints | |
| IATIF 16949 | Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 – Quality management system requirements for automotive serial production and the production of service parts. | |
| Higg Index |
Higg is an integrated software platform that helps you take responsibility for your overall impact – from materials to products, from factories to stores, across energy, waste, water, and working conditions. In 2009, Patagonia and Walmart formed the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a non-profit industry association dedicated to collective solutions for reducing the environmental and social footprint of the clothing and footwear industries. A core focus of the SAC has been the development of the Higg Index, a suite of tools for the standardized measurement of supply chain sustainability. |
|
| ISO 27001 | Information technology – Security techniques – Information security management systems – Requirements | |
| ISO 45001 | Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use | |
| DIN EN ISO 50001 | Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use | |
| RAL quality mark M (furniture) | The “Golden M” is awarded by the German Furniture Quality Association (DGM), which has an important task to fulfil as a RAL Quality Association: to ensure the quality of furniture and to intensify consumer protection. Furniture manufacturers have to meet very high standards to be awarded the seal. | |
| DNV | This is a leading global certification organization and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry. It delivers world-renowned testing, certification and technical advisory services to the energy value chain, including renewables, oil and gas, and energy management. It is one of the world’s leading certification bodies, helping businesses guarantee the performance of their organizations, products, people, facilities and supply chains. | not a label |
| EMAS | Eco-Management and Audit Scheme / European environmental management system. A performance-based system at company level that can be used for climate protection, sustainability and resource conservation. Companies and organizations may use the EMAS logo for marketing purposes if they have introduced an environmental management system in accordance with EMAS and the results have been validated by state-approved environmental verifiers. EMAS was launched back in 1993 by the European Commission – a credible actor that vouches for the integrity of the EMAS logo. Companies can only have sites verified by an EMAS environmental management system – this means that the EMAS logo cannot be displayed on individual products. It is also possible for a company with several sites to register only some of them under EMAS, i.e. to introduce the environmental management system only at certain sites. | |
| UNEP | The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. It categorizes its work into seven broad thematic areas: climate change, disasters and conflicts, ecosystem management, environmental governance, chemicals and waste, resource efficiency, and environment under review. In all of its work, it maintains its overarching commitment to sustainability. | |
| UN Global Compact |
The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest and most important initiative for sustainable and responsible corporate governance. The Global Compact Network Germany, as part of the UN Global Compact, with more than 730 participants from business, civil society and politics, supports companies and organizations in strategically anchoring sustainability and contributing to the implementation of the SDGs.
|
|
| AEO |
Authorized Economic Operator – Since 1 January 2008, companies located in the European Union and involved in customs operations can apply for the status of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). This status entitles the recipients to benefits in relation to security-related customs controls and/or simplifications according to customs regulations. The aim is to secure the continuous international supply chain from the manufacturer of a product to the end consumer. The status of Authorized Economic Operator is valid in all Member States and is not time-limited. |
|
| DJSI | The DJSI (Dow Jones Sustainability Index), introduced in 1999, is probably the best-known index in terms of corporate sustainability ratings. The DJSI is a securities index that ranks environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators. | |
| ZDHC | ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) is not a designation for a certificate or label. ZDHC is an association of 162 international companies and organizations (as of May 2020) who are working together to eliminate hazardous chemicals from the textile industry. The aim of the ZDHC is to work with its members to improve the environment and health by eliminating hazardous chemicals from textile production. | not a label |
| SATRA |
SATRA is an European Notified Body for the CE marking of products under the EU Directive on personal protective equipment (PPE) and the EU Construction Products Regulation (305/2011). SATRA also offers a range of quality certification schemes for various industries, including the SATRA Quality Mark, SATRA Sole Bond Award and SATRA Diamond Furniture Certification. |
|
| Leather Naturally | Leather naturally is a non-profit industry members association that focuses on education and the promotion of leather. It promotes the use of globally manufactured sustainable leather and seeks to inspire and inform designers, creators, and consumers about its beauty, quality and versatility. | not a label |
| IVN Naturleder | The IVN (International Association of Natural Textile Industry) sets the standards for two quality marks for organically produced products: NATURTEXTIL and NATURLEDER. Both labels are based on guidelines that have become a benchmark in the industry. In addition, they are co-owners of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), a globally recognized standard for the production of natural textiles on an industrial level. | |
| BRC Global Standard for Food | The Global Food Safety Standard was developed to specify the safety, quality and operational criteria that food manufacturers must meet in order to comply with all regulatory and consumer protection requirements. The standard was originally developed and published in 1998 and has since been regularly updated to reflect the latest findings in food safety. | |
| TISAX | TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a standard for information security defined by the automotive industry. A large number of car manufacturers and suppliers to the German automotive industry have demanded TISAX compliance or certification of similar standards from many business partners for an information security management system since 2017. |