Responsible fashion: why labels?
Currently in France, there is no single, officially recognized certification for ethical fashion. Add to that the fact that the clothing and footwear sector remains largely unregulated and even less transparent… The result? As a consumer, it can be very difficult to navigate the landscape when every brand claims to be “responsible” or “green”! This is why labels and other certifications play a crucial role, guaranteeing that the items you buy are made according to rigorous standards of sustainability and responsibility. However, there are many such labels, attesting to diverse and varied commitments, and they are not all created equal. It's essential to distinguish between labels established by independent organizations and those created by companies that award themselves their own badges! Here are five environmental and social labels validated by accredited independent third-party organizations that we believe are important to highlight.
No. 1: OFG – Guaranteed French Origin
The Origine France Garantie certification attests to the genuine French origin of products, in contrast to the sometimes misleading and indiscriminate use of the "made in France" label. It guarantees that a product is indeed made in France by proving that the essential stages of its production take place in France and that more than half of the product's added value is created within the country. This label plays a vital role in promoting local production and employment in France, while also guaranteeing consumers the authenticity, traceability, and quality of the products they purchase.
At JULES & JENN, our OFG certified products have been crafted by expert hands in a small, French workshop.
No. 2: LWG – Leather Working Group
The Leather Working Group is an international organization of leather experts that assesses and certifies sustainable practices in the industry. Tanneries can obtain LWG certification by demonstrating their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their production, particularly with regard to traceability, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, reduction of controversial substances, and more.
At JULES & JENN, choosing responsible leather means sourcing as much as possible from Leather Working Group certified suppliers. This guarantees that the tanneries are committed to a more sustainable approach. Currently, 59% of our leather products are LWG certified, including 47% LWG Gold certified (the highest level), and our goal is to reach 100% by 2028.
Photo credit: © GOTS
No. 3: GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard
The GOTS label is an international certification created in 2002 dedicated to organic textiles. It guarantees that the labeled fabric was produced with a minimum of 95% certified organic fibers under fair working conditions. This label covers aspects such as the cultivation of raw materials, dyeing, manufacturing, and labeling.
At JULES & JENN, all the pouches in which our belts , small leather goods and espadrilles are slipped are GOTS certified.
No. 4: Masters of Linen
Masters of Linen® is a certification that guarantees the production of high-quality, traceable, eco-friendly, and 100% European linen, from the flax fiber (cultivation and processing) to the finished fabric or garment. It is therefore a label based on three pillars: quality, geographical origin, and environmental value.
At JULES & JENN, the linen selected for our linen sneaker comes exclusively from Northern France and Normandy and is recognized as “Masters Of Linen”, so this product has benefited from exceptional and centuries-old European skills and knowledge, guaranteeing it flawless quality.
No. 5: EPV – Living Heritage Company
The Living Heritage Company (Entreprise du patrimoine vivant) is an official French label, created in 2005 and awarded under the authority of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, to recognize French companies with artisanal and industrial expertise deemed to be of the highest quality. It rewards traditional skills and know-how, as well as a continuous commitment to quality and innovation. This label helps to promote and, above all, preserve France's cultural heritage and artisanal skills, which are often threatened by foreign competition.
At JULES & JENN, several of our French partner workshops hold this prestigious label, such as the one that makes our wooden and cork shoes near Nantes, the one that knits our soft socks near Lyon, and the one that crafts our small leather goods in the Tarn region. Finally, the workshop that makes our "Made in France" sneakers in Cholet also recently received this label, a workshop that already held the "Produit en Anjou" (Made in Anjou) label, highlighting its strong local roots!
And you, do you pay attention to certifications in the fashion industry? Which labels do you look for when you shop? Feel free to share them with us in the comments!
