Janod

Janod factories are regularly audited according to BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) and/​or ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries) standards by third-party companies. The BSCI certification is based on the working standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other international regulations, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as each country’s specific national legislation. This framework covers the following topics: social responsibility policies, freedom of association, working hours and overtime, non-discrimination, prohibition of child labour and forced labour, special protection for young workers, payment of a minimum wage and measures to guarantee health and safety in the workplace.

Janod specialises in wooden and cardboard toys and games. In 2023, 52% of Janod wood and cardboard products are FSC® certified. Their goal is to reach 70% by 2025!

In collaboration with WWF 30 games and toys in their collection have been designed and manufactured in France with sustainable materials: FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, water-based paint and vegetable inks. For each product sold from this collection, Janod donates a percentage of 7% of the sale price to support the actions of the NGO.

The varnishes and paints used in all their toys are tested by laboratories in accordance with current standards and regulations. Water-based paint is used on some of the toys and is preferred for early-learning toys intended for children under the age of 3, who tend to put them in their mouths. In addition, they test the paint for discolouration to saliva for toys intended for children under the age of 3.

Janod also use vegetable-based inks for the printing of most of our cardboard toys made in France (puzzles and board games) ensuring these games are more easily recyclable and biodegradable.

Since January 2020, they have eliminated plastic from the packaging of 127 products, representing approximately 950,000 pieces sold per year, aiming to minimize packaging use. 

The brand have also replaced silica sachets with 100% natural clay-based sachets, with packaging made of recycled paper. This represents almost 4,560,000 sachets per year. All these efforts represent 5.3 tons less plastic for Janod and the other brands of the JURATOYS group!Since 2019, Janod has partnered with Kinomé and the French National Forests Office in the ​‘Forest & Life’ program, dedicating efforts to reforestation by funding and assisting in tree planting activities with local schools.

COSH! commends the circularity of wooden and cardboard toys, highlighting their use of eco-friendly materials like water-based paints and vegetable-based inks. These toys are designed with sustainability in mind, being more easily recyclable and biodegradable.

The brand also offers replacement of spare parts, enhancing their toys’ lifespan.

While Janod highlights a collection made in France, details on broader production locations remain unclear. They specify delivery areas within the EU, such as Metropolitan France, Monaco, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Germany, but stop short of disclosing their transportation methods. This lack of detailed information on logistics and the full length of their supply chain leaves a gap in understanding the brand’s overall sustainability and operational footprint.

Janod does not use any animal materials, so they are theoretically a vegan brand.

Janod and WWF® have worked closely together to create a collection of toys designed specifically to raise families’ awareness when it comes to the protection of biodiversity. For each product sold, a percentage of the sale price (7%) goes towards supporting the NGO’s actions.

Wooden toys are durable toys with a very long service life, which can be passed down from generation to generation if they are well maintained. Some will end up in children’s mouths, so just remember to wash them regularly!

Janod also gives advice on their website to extend the life of their games and toys.

Janod falls short of fully disclosing its wider production locations. Similarly, while Janod outlines its European delivery destinations, it does not provide specifics on its transportation methods. This partial transparency underscores a need for greater clarity to fully understand the brand’s sustainability efforts and overall impact.