Learn about the approach behind Cradle to Cradle Certified® and how it can help your organization.
Author: Maria-Antoanela Ioniță – Sustainability Communications Specialist
In an era of increasing environmental consciousness, businesses are taking proactive measures to integrate sustainability into their operations. One such initiative gaining prominence is Cradle to Cradle Certified®, offered by the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute, based in The Netherlands. To date, more than 34,000 products have obtained this certification.
In this article, we peel the onion around the Cradle-to-Cradle Certification, visiting its origins, noting the main benefits of the certification, and offering insight into the application process and criteria.
What is Cradle to Cradle Certified?
The institute behind Cradle to Cradle Certified was founded back in 2012, by American architect and academic William McDonough and German chemist and ecologist Michael Braungart. The pair have also collaborated on the eponymous book that has become an essential read for anyone wanting to understand the circular economy approach.
In their visionary book, the authors explain why the current “cradle to grave” economic model is not sustainable, and propose an approach inspired by nature, where “waste equals food” and every material safely re-enters the environment instead of causing waste.
The Cradle to Cradle product standard takes these principles to heart and aims to support and signal materials and products that have a better footprint on the planet. Products are assessed through five key angles: material health, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, product circularity, and social fairness. Otherwise put, it aims to encourage safety, circularity, and responsibility in the way we use materials and design products.
Examples of companies and organizations with Cradle to Cradle certifications include furniture maker Herman Miller, fashion companies C&A and G-Star RAW, and bottle manufacturer Dopper.
Why would you get certified by Cradle to Cradle?
How we design products will largely define their socio-environmental footprint from the beginning to their end of life. Take a building, for instance. Between 39%-80% of its total carbon footprint results from carbon embodied in building materials. Yet, if evaluated early in the design stage, 80% of this embodied carbon can be reduced. This puts a lot of pressure on decisions taken at the design stage, but it also provides an opportunity for companies to better control the products they put in the world.
The Cradle to Cradle certification, by promoting environmental practices, can help companies mitigate potential negative impacts that would later on backlash through regulatory charges or lost market share in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
Instead, it can enhance brand reputation, build consumer trust and loyalty, and proactively address future regulatory requirements.
Finally, it encourages companies to innovate and optimize their products and processes. This often results in reduced waste and increased resource efficiency, which also translates into cost savings.
How can you get certified?
To certify a material or product to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard (or to receive a C2C Certified Material Health Certificate™), companies must follow a rigorous assessment process, which is conducted by independent third-party assessors recognized by the Institute.
Here are the key steps in the certification process:
Pre-assessment: Companies submit product information and undergo an initial evaluation to determine if the product is eligible for certification.
Select a Cradle to Cradle Certified assessment body: Companies need to select from a list of certified assessment bodies and develop a certification plan that includes the cost, timeline, and necessary resources.
Submit application: Here is where companies also need to sign a Certification Agreement and pay the certification and annual community fee.
Assessment: Companies work with assessors and their supply chains to collect data. Then, qualified assessors review materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chain practices.
Receive the certification for your product: The Institute reviews the Asessment Summary Report. If the certification is awarded, they will help you post your products on the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Registry.
Report your progress: Companies need to apply for re-certification every three years.
Cradle to Cradle Certified serves as a powerful tool for businesses to align their operations with sustainable practices and communicate their commitments with a wide pool of stakeholders.
Photo credit: Canva.com
