The Society
"We have launched the society IGN e.V. We have come together voluntarily, in order to actively move something with great social commitment. The IGN e.V. intentionally does without a cost intensive administration. For us, the social projects are of highest importance. The money goes there, where it is actually needed. We do not use 80% of funds for administration and 20% for projects, but the other way round: 20% for administration and 80% for social projects
We show how the reality looks like in export oriented quarries and processing plants."
Oswald Kurz,
Founding member and First Chairman
In collaboration with the IGEP Foundation and Rugmark we have created a consistent and reliable certification standard in line with ILO Convention 182. This includes action against inhumane conditions of production in the member companies in the exporting countries and the support of social activities on site.
Purpose of the association
Purpose and objective of our Community of Interests is the promotion of sales of natural stone products from the whole world, particularly from Africa, Latin America and Asia and the fight against competitive disadvantages in the natural stone processing industry and in trade. This is to protect the domestic companies in their existence and to preserve and expand unemployment. Therefore we work intensively and with full social engagement.
Activities
Our objectives are particularly achieved by the following measures:
- Information about the conditions of production of export granites (PR and press work using all available media, e.g. through newspapers, advertisements, information events, websites etc.)
- Combating inhumane conditions of production, particularly child labour as defined in ILO Convention 182, in the production of natural stone exports for our member companies.
- Application of consistent and reliable certification standards through the promotion and utilization of the IGEP label.
- Support and funding of legal disputes to support the purpose of IGN.
- Promoting and preserving the German cemetery culture.
- Support for social projects and activities in the export countries.
Voluntary obligation
The members of the IGN have voluntarily committed themselves to provide 0.75% of the export value for the improvement of the living conditions in the quarry areas. This is in addition to 0.25% coming from the exporters. These funds are mainly for activities to improve the social situation of children and their families. It particularly concerns
- the support of schools and kindergartens
- measures of preventive health and welfare
- vocational education and training
We would be pleased if you support the activities of our IGN for the natural stone industry as a direct member or as a sponsoring member. With the membership, you also earn the right to do PR, with the label of IGN on your letterhead and on your brochures. So you show that you promote social compliance and social activities and prove that you are selling natural stone products (gravestones, landscaping and construction products) from certified producers.
IGN also offers legal assistance and advice in cemetery related matters with local authorities and agencies. The complete IGN rules we send to you on request.
Product marking (Seal)
