Since its founding in 1986, Maison Le Parapluie de Cherbourg has been dedicated to showcasing the quality of French craftsmanship. Deeply attached to the city of Cherbourg and the expertise of the manufacturers who create magnificent umbrellas there every day, it was only natural that the company obtained the EPV label , "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant" (Living Heritage Company). This label has been awarded by the French government since 2005 to companies that utilize outstanding industrial or artisanal skills and preserve traditional manufacturing techniques. Why and how did we obtain the EPV label ? What is the significance of obtaining this label for a company like ours? Find out all about our approach in this article.
The EPV label is a distinction established by the French government in 2005 to recognize companies that utilize outstanding artisanal and industrial expertise, linked to traditional manufacturing methods. The aim from the outset was to encourage and reward the preservation of French industrial and artisanal heritage, while simultaneously fostering the development of innovations that perpetuate the excellence of this expertise. Naturally, all these concepts resonate particularly strongly with a company like La Manufacture Le Parapluie de Cherbourg : stemming from a long family tradition of leather manufacturing, passionately defending the know-how and quality of Made in France umbrella , and constantly innovating to design ever more durable and high-performing products, this label seemed tailor-made for us!
But how to obtain the EPV label ? The story was only just beginning…
While the EPV label is a state-awarded distinction, its management was entrusted in 2019 to the National Institute of Arts and Crafts (INMA), which is therefore responsible for reviewing applications and awarding the label. The label is granted for a period of five years and is subject to an extremely rigorous selection process.
INMA explains how to obtain the EPV label on its website: a distinction is made between the conditions of eligibility 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 with the trade directory and/or the commercial register (RCS) are eligible to apply; any company meeting these conditions and engaged in production, processing, repair, or restoration activities is permitted to apply. Applications are then reviewed based on eligibility criteria.
Since 2020, the eligibility criteria for the EPV label have been divided into three main categories:
-the possession of specific economic assets derived from a manufacturing past;
-the implementation of complex or rare know-how through the mastery of cutting-edge and/or traditional techniques;
-attachment to a territory and a reputation in France and/or internationally.
→ Heritage, expertise, innovation, territory: these are the very DNA of La Maison, and they are at the heart of the criteria for awarding the label. All that remained was to determine how to obtain this EPV label …
Applications for the Living Heritage Company label are submitted online through the INMA website. They involve completing a very detailed questionnaire covering the company's expertise, economic heritage, and reputation (local, national, and international). This process is particularly enriching and constructive as it allows for a full appreciation of the daily efforts undertaken to maintain and promote the expertise and excellence of French manufacturing.
Once you know how to obtain the EPV label , it's time to consider why obtaining this label is important.
For our company, this label is not just recognition – although that is already significant. It also represents a range of benefits and promotional opportunities, particularly internationally, which contribute to the development and reach of our brand in France and around the world. That is why we are both proud and honored to have received this label.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive our latest news
