Our glossary

The Paris Good Fashion glossary was born following the citizen consultation on responsible fashion carried out in 2020 at the initiative of our association alongside a collective of committed actors*.

It responds to the expectations expressed by more than 107,000 participants, concerning the need for consumer information and the need to use a common language understood by all. Hence, the members of Paris Good Fashion decided to develop this glossary in order to exchange and communicate on the same basis.

Initially published in French, this glossary is now available in English in order to make as many people as possible benefit from this work. It includes about 350 definitions, and is the result of collaborative work with our members**.

  1. We first defined the main categories and terms to be included. First, we defined the main categories and terms to be included: general terms of fashion and sustainable development, labels and certifications, actors and initiatives, and materials. Another category was established, that of "Basic concepts". It includes the most important generic terms of our sector. These are also often the most complex, as their scope is either very broad or unclear.
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  2. Then, we carried out bibliographical research, which allowed us to carry out a state of the art of the existing definitions by basing them on the official and international definitions when they existed.
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  3. When they did not exist, the terms were the subject of consultation and in-depth reflection by Sylvie Benard, Clémence Grisel and Isabelle Lefort in order to be enriched and as precise as possible. For each term, you will find the bibliographic references that helped establish its definition.
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  4. Following this work which took place from March 2021 to February 2022, the definitions were submitted to the members for correction and validation. Special thanks go to Claudia Lee and Guy Morgan (Chanel), François Souchet (BPCM), and Andrée-Anne Lemieux (IFM) for their careful reading of the translation, coordinated by Clémence Grisel.

If you would like to know more, or have any suggestions, please contact us at contact@parisgoodfashion.com

* Eram Group, Etam Group, Galeries Lafayette, Petit Bateau, Vestiaire Collective, WSN

** They participated in the WG: Chantal Cabantous (Balmain), François Souchet (BPCM), Éric Dupont, Guy Morgan, Claudia Lee (Chanel), Christophe Bocquet and Aude Vergne (Chloé), Sylvain Cariou and Hugo Sereys (Crystalchain), Clémence Hulet and Alice Timmerman (Deloitte), Géraldine Vallejo, Yoann Regent and Annabelle Villot Malka (Kering), Frédéric Lecoq (Lacoste), Hélène Valade and Alexandre Capelli (LVMH), Thomas Bucaille and Pauline Mattioli (Petit Bateau) as well as Léonore Garnier (FHCM), Adeline Dargent (Syndicat de Paris de la Mode Féminine) and Andrée-Anne Lemieux (IFM)

On November 14, 2019 Kering and Institut Français de la Mode launched the IFM-Kering Sustainability Chair with the joint ambition to create a world-class research and teaching centre for the fashion industry which integrates all aspects of sustainable development, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Chair’s main objectives are to:

• Promote research and teaching of the environmental, social and societal aspects of sustainable fashion (ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods and other accessories);
• Embed sustainability into the early stages of the creative process ("ecology of creation").

Reference: IFM
Primarily construction and demolition waste such as masonry, bricks, tiling, concrete and asphalt.

Inert waste is chemically and biologically inactive. It will not decompose and cannot be burned. It does not cause other materials to deteriorate on contact in a way that would be harmful to the environment or human health.

Reference: Ademe
A major centre for research and innovation in the textile and clothing sectors, IFTH provides quality, certification, training and standardisation services. It is the sole representative of Oeko-Tex in France and is authorised to deliver Oeko-Tex certification.

Reference: IFTH
Certification institute exclusively for the leather sector. ICEC is accredited to deliver ISO 9001 certification (quality management systems), ISO 14001 certification (environmental management systems), EMAS certification (EU eco-management and audit scheme), OHSAS 18001 certification (occupational health and safety assessment), EN 16484 certification (determination of the origin of leather production) and leather and leather goods certification based on Italian (UNI) standards or manufacturer specifications.

Reference: Institute of Quality Certification for the Leather Sector
A recent means for companies to report on their value creation that integrates financial and non-financial performance. Integrated reporting gives a clearer understanding of a company’s mid-term and long-term strategy, and its overall performance.

Reference: MEDEF (2019) Reporting intégré
An objective audit conducted by the company itself. A first-party audit evaluates the effectiveness of a company’s internal controls, risk management and corporate governance. It provides a value-added service that pinpoints flaws in a process prior to external audit and identifies opportunities for improvement.

Reference: Institut français des auditeurs et contrôleurs internes (IFACI)
Independent, non-governmental, international organisation with a membership of 167 national standards bodies. Through its members, ISO brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.

Reference: ISO
ISO 14001:2015 helps an organization achieve the intended outcomes of its Environmental Management System (EMS), which provide value for the environment, the organization itself and interested parties. Consistent with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental management system include:

• enhancement of environmental performance;
• fulfilment of compliance obligations;
• achievement of environmental objectives.

ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to any organization, regardless of size, type and nature, and applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that the organization determines it can either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective. ISO 14001:2015 does not state specific environmental performance criteria.

See: Environmental Management System (EMS)

Reference: ISO 14001 - Environmental management systems
ISO 20121 sets out requirements and guidance for event sustainability management. It is applicable to organisations of all types and sizes involved in the design and delivery of events and accommodates diverse geographical, cultural and social contexts. It addresses every stage of the event supply chain with a balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress.

References:
ISO 20121 - Event sustainability management systems
Bureau Veritas
ISO 26000 provides guidelines for social responsibility. Because these are guidelines rather than requirements, unlike other ISO standards it cannot be used for certification. Rather it assists companies and organisations in understanding the principles of social responsibility and translating them into action, and contributes to promoting best practices around the globe. ISO 26000 invites organisations to structure their action around seven core subjects: organisational governance (fulfil legal obligations, transparency, accountability and social dialogue); human rights; labour practices (working conditions and employment relationships); the environment; fair operating practice; consumer issues and community involvement and development.

Reference: ISO 26000 - Guidance on social responsibility
The ISO 45001 standard for workplace safety is for organisations that wish to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions.

Reference: ISO 45001 - Occupational health and safety management systems
ISO 50001 provides a framework of requirements for companies and organisations that wish to develop a policy for more efficient energy use.

Reference: ISO 50001 - Energy management systems
ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the family that can be certified to (although this is not a requirement). It can be used by any organization, large or small, regardless of its field of activity.

This standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement.

Reference: ISO 9000 - Quality management systems