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Still much to do: A report on the ecological and social labelling of footwear and leather

The English-language report examines and evaluates 12 European quality and testing labels with regard to the underlying social and environmental criteria. Among other things, the German seals Blue Angel, IVN natural leather, the ECARF quality seal and SG Pollutant were tested. This report supports consumers in their purchasing decision. At the same time, it should also be a guide for European brands and companies and support them in deciding which initiative or monitoring organisation they should join. For companies, joining a seal or monitoring organization is a way to improve their social and environmental standards. Seals can clearly help to improve the often miserable working conditions in shoe factories and tanneries. The report shows that shoes and leather with one of the seals are often produced under better conditions. The seals have a positive effect on the workers and the environment is also less polluted. But it also becomes clear: There is still a lot to do and improvements to the seals are necessary! Especially in the field of social criteria, the seals examined are deficient, so five of the twelve seals examined do not include any social criteria at all. In terms of ecological criteria, it looks a bit better, in total five of the 12 seals have good ecological criteria. Blauer Engel, Austrian Ecolabel on Shoes, IVN Naturleder and The Nordic Swan Ecolabel not only set limits, but also completely ban some hazardous chemicals and heavy metals.

Scope: 25 pages
Reference: free of charge for download