Eco-labeled steps

Our journey with EU Ecolabel

CERTIFYING OUR FIRST SHOE

2008

We are the first in the world to successfully certify shoes with the EU Ecolabel. Four models meet the strict requirements set by the EU. One of the first models to be certified is our beloved model Edsbro. This eco-labeling is one of the world's most strict labels, not only taking the choice of materials or production into consideration but the entire life cycle of the product. This is just the beginning!

Even stricter requirements

2016

The number of Kavat models certified with the EU Ecolabel is increasing. In 2016, the requirements for certification are reworked and becomes even stricter. The allowed limit for certain chemicals is lowered, and standards for working conditions and environment during manufacturing are implemented. We conduct new tests to ensure that we meet the new requirements. All already eco-labeled shoes meet the new standard, and we continue to label new models, one at a time.

Material school

Chrome-free leather

All shoes marked with this symbol are made of chrome-free leather. Our chrome-free leather is tanned completely without chrome, and it is separated from other leather at tanneries and in our warehouse. Machines used in manufacturing must be only used for chrome-free leather or cleaned thoroughly before treating chrome-free skins. The leather is tested annually by independent laboratories. Shoes made from our EP leather (Eco Performance) are always chrome-free. We have also developed a new chrome-free variant of our popular XC leather (Cross Country), which is gradually being implemented in the rest of the assortment.

This is EU Ecolabel

The EU Ecolabel is the EU's official environmental labeling that is recognized throughout Europe. Today, Kavat has over 50 models that have been certified .

The criteria for the EU Ecolabel are established by a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council. The labeling takes into account the entire life cycle of the product. Materials and substances are reviewed, as well as emissions from their manufacturing. The durability of the product is also checked. The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary labeling, which means that producers, importers, and retailers can apply to use the labeling.

In Sweden, the independent company Miljömärkning Sverige AB handles the certification, partly through on-site checks at producers and their subcontractors, and partly through tests at certified laboratories.

The life cycle of a product begins with the production of raw materials, such as cotton or leather. The cycle continues through manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use, and finally reaches the stage where the product is disposed of or recycled. In the development of criteria for the EU Ecolabel, the focus is on the stages where the product contributes to the greatest environmental impact, which varies between different products. In the life cycle of, for example, a shoe, a large part of the environmental impact occurs during the tanning, dyeing, or bleaching of leather and textiles.

The criteria for shoes are therefore developed by experts to ensure that the environmentally harmful factors in production are minimized. For a shoe to be able to receive the EU Ecolabel certification, it must be tested for more than 200 different chemical substances.

Here is our certificate

We are very proud of it

Our certification

Why EU Ecolabel

The reason we certify our products is that we wanted an independent environmental labeling of our shoes. The problem with our own labeling is that it can easily be perceived as unprofessional and contribute to greenwashing. Therefore, it was important for us to have an external, independent labeling of our products for it to be credible. When a shoe is certified with the EU Ecolabel, it guarantees that the materials and production follow strict criteria set for the entire life cycle. The labeling is well-known throughout Europe, which was also a contributing factor to why we chose this specific certification.

To obtain the Ecolabel certification, products must meet tough criteria set by an expert panel and are ratified every 4 years. In Sweden, Miljömärkning Sverige AB controls and certifies. They take into account the entire life cycle of the shoe from the production of raw materials until it is worn out. There are also requirements regarding working conditions, and independent third-party controllers must show that they have been to the factory where we produce the shoes and approved that we follow ILO conventions.

We only use leather from animals raised for milk or meat production and of course not from endangered animal species.

Tanneries, sole manufacturers, and textile suppliers must demonstrate that they have a sustainable water consumption and that they do not release, for example, oxygen-demandning substances and chromium over permissible levels in their wastewater. There are limitations on the use of solvents, and PVC plastic is completely prohibited.

The SVHC (substance of very high concern) are all banned and we must strictly follow Ecolabels RSL (Restricted substance list), which contains requirements for independent lab tests for many different chemicals including carcinogenic and allergenic colors, PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), biocides, perfluorinated chemicals such as PFOS, N-nitrosamines that can be found in rubber and plastic, organic tin compounds, phthalates which are plasticizers, formaldehyde and heavy metals such as lead, chromium and nickel.

In addition to this, we must also conduct wear tests on the products using certified methods to ensure that the quality is sustainable and our packaging must be made of 100% recycled paper. Energy consumption is also something that we measure. Ecolabel can request to visit factories where materials and shoes are manufactured for inspection, and they conduct spot checks on materials to ensure that we are following the criteria.