IGEP - Social & Environmental Certification of Natural Stones

IGEP provides reliable Certification of Natural Stones

India and China belong to the world's largest manufacturers and exporters of granite and other natural stone products. This position has been established successfully since 1970 by applying technically sophisticated mining and processing methods. Indian suppliers are known to be particularly strong in the production and in the export of grave stones, slabs, tiles, monuments and statues. As such, they meet the highest quality requirements and the most demanding technical standards and specifications.

The proper examination and certification of natural stone products provides the basis for successful exports and is offered by IGEP. IGEP is an independent and non-profit private company under German management, operating for whole India and other nations of the world. It benefits from more than 25 years of experience in the production, control and certification of industries including: the manufacturing of carpets, shoes, leather garments and other leather products, textiles and garments, home furnishings, arts & crafts and gift items, jewellery, automotive components and many more. IGEP is the only organization with appropriate operational infrastructure in the supplier countries to offer regular and comprehensive systematic control and monitoring of the entire value chain in the natural stone sector. Every potential applicant can get certified, as long as it is within the scope of the standards. All following activities are covered:

Activities Covered:

Quarrying of stone blocks
Transport to processing plants
Cutting, polishing, and trimming
Packaging, transportation, and shipment

IGEP Monitoring Process for Natural Stone Certification

What is Monitored?

Following public attention and the ethical and moral obligations, the focus of the monitoring is the prevention and elimination of child labour, on the basis of the domestic laws, the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) of the United Nations and human rights declaration. As a result of constant efforts by Rugmark, IGEP and like-minded organizations and people, India and China are eliminating final barriers to the full ratification of ILO Conventions 138 and 182. In addition to controlled operations, several other social minimum requirements are checked.

IGEP Certification Process for Natural Stones

How it is Done

The prerequisite for introducing mandatory standards is the initial voluntary commitment of a company to be audited and controlled at any time by the third party auditors appointed by IGEP without prior notice. This commitment is a crucial step towards successful and credible monitoring and certification. In order to initiate the process, Importers / Buyers provide IGEP with the names of their suppliers. These companies will be contacted by IGEP in India and China. Afterwards, IGEP will ask for a list of their quarries and transporters. The list is exactly verified in cooperation with buyers, associations and chambers and will always be updated when changes occur.

IGEP Seal of Reliability for Natural Stone Products

Label / Seal of Reliability

India's natural stones and gravestones are globally renowned, produced mainly in the southern states using advanced machinery and skilled, unionized labor. To ensure products are free from child or forced labor and are compliant with the international social and environmental norms, IGEP provides a seal of approval. Stickers are confidentially managed and applied to the underside of gravestones, visible blocks, and edges of tiles and slabs for proper verification during export. This process ensures product authenticity, compliance, and promotes transparency and ethical trade in the natural stone industry.

Our Valuable Importers

IGEP Certified Natural Stone Importers - Collection 1

Our Valued Partners