LWG Label

LWG label: premium, durable and eco-responsible sneakers

Why this is important to us

At National Standard, every material choice has a purpose. Our sneakers are designed to last: over time, on your feet, and in your lives. Leather, a living material central to our design, must therefore meet a dual imperative: impeccable quality and a controlled impact. That's why we exclusively use leathers from LWG (Leather Working Group) certified tanneries—an international benchmark for environmental responsibility.

The LWG label, in a few words

The Leather Working Group is an independent organization that assesses tanneries worldwide. Its role is to ensure more sustainable, better regulated, and more transparent practices.

Obtaining LWG certification requires meeting several criteria. It is the result of a thorough audit conducted by independent experts, who evaluate the entire production process of tanneries according to strict and measurable criteria.

• Responsible water and energy management: Leather processing is a historically resource-intensive industry. LWG-certified tanneries must demonstrate that they optimize water and energy use at every stage: reducing consumption, improving machine efficiency, reusing process water, installing heat recovery systems, etc. The goal is to limit the impact on natural resources and reduce the overall carbon footprint.
• Waste and wastewater treatment: Every liter of water used must be treated according to rigorous protocols before being discharged. Sludge, solvents, and residues are also subject to strict controls. The LWG label ensures that each tannery has high-performance filtration systems that comply with European standards and meticulously documents its practices. This guarantees that the impact on soils, groundwater, and surrounding ecosystems is controlled.
• Traceability of hides: Knowing the origin of leather is key to guaranteeing its ethical sourcing. LWG-certified tanneries must ensure complete traceability: from the raw hides to the finished leather. This makes it possible to exclude illegal sourcing, identify partner farms or slaughterhouses, and ensure compliance with local regulations and animal welfare standards.
• Controlled use of chemicals: Leather processing involves the use of specific products. The LWG (Laboratory Working Group) mandates a list of permitted and prohibited substances (including certain heavy metals, toxic solvents, and harmful preservatives). Tanneries must demonstrate their compliance with these requirements, protect their employees, and limit residues in finished products to ensure the safety of leather worn next to the skin.
• A human commitment lies at the heart of the certification. The environmental dimension of LWG certification is paramount, but it cannot exist without an equally strong social imperative. Truly responsible leather does not
  It is measured not only by its ecological footprint, but also by how it is produced, by whom, and under what conditions. This is why the Leather Working Group incorporates clear and rigorous criteria related to respect for human rights and working conditions within tanneries into its audits.

Leatherworkers must be able to practice their craft in a healthy and controlled environment. This means: well-ventilated workstations, appropriate protective equipment, controlled management of chemicals, and a comprehensive risk prevention policy. Every action is monitored, every space is secured, so that no one endangers their health during the manufacturing process.

But beyond safety, the recognition of expertise is also at stake. Certification encourages access to continuing education, the learning of new techniques, and skills development. Tanneries must allow their teams to grow, improve their skills, and build stable careers in dignified environments. Craftsmanship is not simply a link in the chain: it is expertise, commitment, a profession that deserves respect.

Finally, the certification ensures that each tannery complies with labor laws in its country: prohibition of forced labor or excessive working hours, respect for legal wages, equal treatment, and freedom of association. These principles are non-negotiable. They are audited regularly, and any non-compliance results in exclusion from the program.

Depending on the rigor of their practices, tanneries can obtain a Bronze, Silver, or Gold certification level. We collaborate exclusively with those that meet the highest standards.

Why this is important to us: for premium, durable and eco-friendly sneakers

Choosing to work with LWG-certified leathers is not a pose, nor a marketing ploy. It's a deep commitment that guides our decisions at every stage of the design process. This choice reflects our desire to create premium, durable, and eco-responsible sneakers that meet our own high standards and those of our customers. The LWG label allows us to take concrete action on the environmental impact of
Our production. By selecting leathers from certified tanneries, we help reduce the carbon footprint of each pair, limit water and energy consumption, and ensure that any waste generated is treated responsibly. Every raw material we use is rigorously vetted against these criteria, because ethical design cannot exist without a coherent and controlled manufacturing chain.

It's also a way to support the right people. Behind this label are workshops that invest in cleaner equipment, in training their teams, and in a continuous improvement approach. These are the partners we want to recognize. Because manufacturing better also means creating a lasting relationship with those who make them. This is also what guarantees the durability and responsibility of our premium sneakers.

Finally, LWG certification ensures complete traceability: from the raw hide to the leather we select, each step is documented, monitored, and transparent. This allows us to guarantee to our customers that the pair they wear is the result of a clear, ethical process, aligned with our values. This process is essential for designing sustainable and eco-responsible sneakers.

It's a way to move forward with consistency. To not give in to compromises. To build, step by step, a premium, sustainable and eco-responsible sneaker brand, rooted in its time, but looking towards a fairer future.

At National Standard, we believe that luxury can no longer ignore responsibility. Working with LWG-certified leathers affirms that quality is not incompatible with environmental awareness—on the contrary, it depends on it. This is also what makes us a premium brand. Because high standards are not just about appearance, but about substance. Because a well-made product begins with well-considered choices.