2nd

Indian Stone Industry

India is one of the largest producers and exporter of granite stones in the world. With a market that has grown and modernized successfully since the early 70s, the Indian granite industry is a world-renowned supplier and manufacturer of granite countertops, statues, monuments and especially of grave- stones. Germany is the biggest European buyer. However, exports and the related employment generating opportunities to thousands of workers and their families are in danger, because it is alleged that granite grave-stones, etc. are made with child labour.

To avoid setbacks and losses to the trade, IGEP Trust developed an appropriate certification strategy to properly deal with these claims.

• A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is signed by individual buyers who seek certification in procuring stones that are devoid of child labour.
• IGEP Trust regularly undertakes social auditing in the stone quarrying and manufacturing sector in India. This is done in strong cooperation with quarry owners, manufacturers, exporters and buyers without prior announcement and several times per year.
• IGEP Trust inspections are carried out for the entire value chain of stone manufacturing. All audits follow IGEP's comprehensive International Social and Environmental Standard (ISES 2020) which has been developed in 1996. ISES 2020 has its own copyright and comprises apart from child labour, forced labour, occupational health and safety, freedom of association and right to collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation, upstream suppliers and environment protection. The standard is dynamic. It can always be adjusted to new challenges e.g. to new protective measures in the field of environment and renaturation.

Today over 50 Indian stone exporters work with IGEP Trust to certify their mines and processing units using the ISES 2020 process. IGEP Trust is a regular participant in various International and National stone fairs and conferences to highlight and inform the use of the ISES 2020 standards and in the process, safeguard and promote the Indian stone sector. IGEP Trust also works very closely with the Indian Monument Manufacturers Association (IMMA) and its member companies.