Cradle to Cradle

The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating the sustainability of materials and products across five key areas: material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness. The certification is relevant for a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to consumer goods. It applies to materials, sub-assemblies, and finished products, and also includes general, packaging, and animal welfare requirements.

Key Features

• Four ascending levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
• Comprehensive evaluation across five key areas of sustainability.
• Applies to materials, sub-assemblies, and finished products.

Trustworthiness

To obtain Cradle to Cradle certification, organizations must collaborate with an accredited, independent assessment agency that performs comprehensive on-site evaluations of manufacturing facilities. This meticulous process not only ensures a high standard of scrutiny but also sets forth increasingly stringent criteria for advanced certification levels, presenting a rigorous challenge that may be demanding for some companies to meet.

Duration and Renewal

Each product certification is valid for two years. Companies are required to recertify every three years and must show measurable improvement to maintain their certified status. This ensures that companies are not just maintaining but improving their sustainability practices over time.

Impact and Significance

Achieving Cradle to Cradle certification provides companies with a competitive advantage by validating their commitment to sustainability and social fairness. It also offers a pathway for ongoing improvement, as companies must show measurable progress to maintain their certification. However, the varying levels of achievement and the need for continuous improvement may make the certification process more challenging for some companies.