In the world of promotional merchandise, several labels are frequently used, and it's important to understand them when choosing a product to personalize and use in promotional campaigns. Labels are often highlighted to showcase a product's advantages, qualities , environmental impact, and to differentiate it from the competition.
Currently, the most popular labels are those with an environmental focus.
There are four main types of labels: official labels, collective private labels, uncontrolled individual private labels (created by brands), and controlled individual private labels (also created by brands but therefore more recognized by regulatory bodies).
The difference between these labels lies in the controls. Indeed, the controls depend on the origin of the label; a European label will not be controlled by the same authorities as a French label.
LABELS FOR CERTIFYING RAW MATERIALS
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - Wood-related labels
The FSC label represents sustainably managed forests. Its use is very strict and it is grouped into three standards.
– FSC Mix is a product that combines FSC-certified wood and non-FSC-certified wood from controlled sources. Specifically, the product must contain at least 70% FSC-certified wood fiber, and the remaining 30% (maximum) must be FSC-controlled wood.
– FSC Recycled which expresses that the wood used has been recycled or can be recycled to 70% post-consumer.
Ultimately, FSC Recycled labeled products are made from 100% recycled wood or fibers. It primarily targets paper products and certain solid wood or panel products.
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) - Forest Certification
PEFC is an internationally recognized forest certification, created to promote responsible forest management. The program was established in 1999 to help forest owners implement sustainable forest management practices .
Certification is necessary to ensure that forest products come from responsibly managed forests.
Products from PEFC-certified forests automatically have an ecolabel that shows the consumer that the product comes from sustainably managed forests.
European Ecolabel - Certification on paper
The EU Ecolabel certifies that a product meets European environmental criteria. It is based on the product's life cycle. Verified by independent bodies and public authorities, and awarded by the awarding committees of the EU Member States,
it covers a wide range of products, including textile detergents, cleaning products, food, and pharmaceuticals.
But also copy paper and graphic paper, which includes sheets or rolls of blank, unprinted and unprocessed paper or cardboard, colored or uncolored, made from pulp and fit for use for writing or printing or for processing purposes.
In the case of Kids Création , the Label will be used for goodies containing paper.
OekoTex International Label for Textiles
Oeko Text label is an international label for textiles, fabrics, household linen, mattresses, etc
This label guarantees that the product contains no (or only trace amounts of) substances harmful to health or skin. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label is also available in five other Oeko-Tex labels, each with its own specific requirements.
This label is valid for one year . It does not take into account the origin of the textile and does not differentiate between organic and non-organic fabrics. However, it prohibits pesticides and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and it does consider criteria such as colorfastness and wash resistance.
Example of Oeko Tex goodies: T-shirt, Tote bag, soft toy.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
💡Are you familiar with Seaqual®?💡
Seaqual® is a 100% recycled polyester, 10% of whose raw materials come from ocean waste (fishing nets, plastic bottles recovered from the oceans, etc.). It transforms ocean plastic waste into a material usable by the textile industry.
The waste is collected by fishermen and organizations on beaches in Europe, around the Mediterranean, and on the west coast of Africa. Seaqual® Yarn fabric is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and Oeko-Tex 100 certified.