Since its creation in 1986, Maison Le Parapluie de Cherbourg has worked tirelessly to showcase the quality of French manufacturing. Deeply attached to the city of Cherbourg and the expertise of the manufacturers who create sumptuous umbrellas there every day, it was only natural that the Maison obtained the EPV label , “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company). This label has been awarded by the State since 2005 to French companies that use excellent industrial or artisanal know-how and safeguard traditional manufacturing techniques. Why and how do you obtain the EPV label ? What is the meaning of obtaining this label for a company like ours? All the explanations about our approach are in this article.
The EPV label is a distinction that was established by the State in 2005, to highlight companies that use excellent artisanal and industrial know-how, linked to traditional manufacturing methods. The challenge since 2005 was to encourage and reward the preservation of French industrial and artisanal heritage, while promoting the development of innovations to prolong the excellence of this know-how. Obviously, all these notions have a particular resonance for a company like La Manufacture Le Parapluie de Cherbourg: coming from a long family tradition of leather manufacturing, ardently defending the know-how and quality of the manufacture of Made in France umbrellas , and constantly innovating to design ever more durable and efficient products, this label seemed made for us!
But how did you get the EPV label ? The story was only just beginning...
While the EPV label is a state distinction, its management was entrusted in 2019 to the National Institute of Crafts (INMA), which is responsible for reviewing applications and organizing the awarding of the label. The latter is awarded for a period of five years and is subject to an extremely rigorous selection procedure.
The INMA explains how to obtain the EPV label on its website: we distinguish the eligibility conditions for the application process on the one hand, and the eligibility criteria on the other.
The label recognizes companies as a whole, which is unique in France. Only companies registered in the trades directory and/or the trade and companies register (RCS) are eligible to apply; any company meeting these conditions and carrying out production, processing, repair, or restoration activities is eligible to apply. Applications are then reviewed in light of the eligibility criteria.
Since 2020, the eligibility criteria for the EPV label have been divided into three main categories:
- the possession of a specific economic heritage drawn from a manufacturing past;
-the implementation of complex or rare know-how thanks to the mastery of cutting-edge and/or traditional techniques;
- attachment to a territory and reputation in France and/or internationally.
→ Heritage, know-how, innovation, territory: it is the very DNA of La Maison which is at the heart of the criteria for awarding the label. All that remained was to know how to obtain this EPV label …
The application for the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label is made online, on the INMA website. It involves completing a very detailed questionnaire, on the issues of know-how, economic heritage and reputation (local, national and international) of the company. This approach is all the more enriching and structuring as it allows to take full measure of the actions carried out daily to bring to life and prosper the know-how and excellence of manufacturing in France.
Once we know how to obtain the EPV label , it is time to ask ourselves why obtaining this label is important.
For our House, this label is not just recognition—although that's a lot in itself. It also offers a range of benefits and promotional activities, particularly internationally, that contribute to the development and influence of our brand in France and around the world. This is why we are both proud and honored to have received this label.
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