Faced with an increasingly vast and diversified offer, it can quickly become complex to discern real ethical initiatives from greenwashing strategies. Labels and certifications are a great help in identifying eco-responsible sneakers from those that are not really. Here, we dissect the main labels and certifications to help you identify ethical or eco-responsible products during your next purchases.
What is an ethical sneaker?
An ethical sneaker is based on three main pillars: environmental impact , social conditions of production and the use of sustainable materials .
An ethical sneaker is designed to minimize its ecological footprint, both in terms of manufacturing and the materials used.
It also aims to be respectful of workers, ensuring that they benefit from decent working conditions, particularly in terms of pay and safety.
Concretely, an ethical sneaker can be made from recycled materials, such as recycled leather, polyester from plastic bottles, or natural fibers such as organic cotton, hemp, or even natural rubber.
Only labeled materials can guarantee that the sneakers you are going to buy respect environmental and social standards.
Labeled materials for responsible sneakers
Today, several labels and certifications guarantee that these materials meet strict standards.
These labels not only make it easier for consumers to choose, but also encourage brands to make a greater commitment to sustainable fashion. The most commonly used labeled materials in eco-friendly sneakers include organic cotton, natural rubber, recycled and vegetable-tanned leather, and recycled synthetic fibers.
The cork in our soles is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring that forests and workers are used in a way that respects their environment, while the synthetic fibres or our recycled leathers are certified GRS (Global Recycled Standard) to give new life to post-consumer materials.
The different ethical and eco-responsible certifications
Labels and certifications are reliable benchmarks for identifying ethical and responsible sneakers. Each of these certifications has specific criteria and responds to specific environmental or social issues. Here is an overview of the main certifications to look for to ensure that your sneakers are truly ethical.
OEKO TEX certification: textiles guaranteed to be free of toxic products
OEKO TEX certification is widely recognized in the textile industry for its strict health and safety standards.
This certification aims to ensure that materials do not contain any substances that are harmful to human health or the environment. For a pair of sneakers, this means that all components, from the fabric to the lining, dyes and accessories such as laces, are tested and approved to not contain any hazardous chemicals.
The OEKO TEX Standard 100 , the best known, is particularly rigorous and analyses each component of textile products.
OEKO TEX certified products thus ensure total safety, making the shoe both safer for the consumer and less polluting for the environment.
By choosing OEKO TEX certified sneakers, you can be sure that the production process has been designed to reduce the use of toxic substances, thus limiting pollution and risks for workers.
GRS Label: a standard for recycled materials
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) label is a certification that guarantees that a product contains a defined percentage of recycled materials. The GRS requires that the entire production chain meets environmental and social standards, including wastewater management, energy consumption and working conditions.
The GRS, launched by Textile Exchange, not only guarantees the use of recycled materials but also the transparency of production processes and the environmental impact of finished products. For sneakers, the GRS is often applied to leathers, synthetic fibers from plastic bottles or used textiles, thus reducing the ecological impact linked to the production of new materials.
This label is an essential criterion to ensure that its ethical sneakers are truly designed with recycled materials, thus contributing to the circular economy and waste reduction .
FSC certification: guaranteeing sustainable forest management
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is a globally recognized label to ensure sustainable forest management. For ethical sneakers, the FSC label is mainly applied to natural rubber, used in the soles, but it can also concern the leather or wood used in certain design elements.
This label certifies that rubber or any other forest-based material comes from plantations that are managed responsibly , respecting biodiversity, local populations and workers. FSC certification is based on strict environmental, social and economic criteria, and it guarantees that logging does not contribute to deforestation or the destruction of flora and fauna.
Other labels and certifications to consider
In addition to the certifications mentioned, several other labels can also guarantee the ethical and ecological nature of sneakers. Among them:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) : a rigorous standard for organic cotton, guaranteeing sustainable agricultural and social practices.
- Fair Trade Certified : Ensures that workers receive fair wages and work in decent conditions.
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) : certifies that products are vegan, without animal exploitation.
These labels and certifications help establish a standard of trust and transparency between brands and consumers, meeting the growing demand for responsible and environmentally friendly products.
Discover our ethical and certified sneakers made in Europe!
All our sneaker models are eco-responsible and 100% certified.
IKO&NOTT sneakers use fully recycled GRS-certified leather, OEKO-TEX-certified recycled plastic, and FSC-certified cork soles. Each model combines style, comfort and respect for the environment.
We also received a medal at the Concours Lépine International 2024 for our 100% recycled materials and our memory foam insole, developed in partnership with a podiatrist.
Produced in Europe, mainly in Portugal and France, our ethical sneakers are made in fair working conditions, offering total transparency in the production chain. Our collections, such as Astréos and Eole, are inspired by nature, reflecting the brand's deep ecological commitment.
By choosing IKO&NOTT, each pair of sneakers is a step further towards sustainable and ethical fashion, contributing to a greener future for the footwear industry.