Proven to be reliable

Cradle to Cradle® is a quality model on which products are assessed based on their positive contribution to people and the environment. The best known and key design principle of Cradle to Cradle is 'waste equals food', supported by two key philosophies: 'use of renewable energy' and 'celebrate diversity'.

In 2010, the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute™ was founded. This non-profit organisation aims to achieve change through open-source information and supports open innovation. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute™ developed the quality certificate Cradle to Cradle Certified™. This certification encourages manufacturers to continually improve and is only awarded to products which are considered safe for human health and the environment, designed for future use cycles and created through sustainable production processes.

Products are assessed in five categories:

• Healthy materials The safety of a product is assessed based on the materials used in the product. A check is carried out on whether any prohibited chemical substances have been used.
• Recycling Products are assessed on the reuse of materials, calculated with regard to the recyclability and renewability of the materials.
• Renewable energy Encouraging the use of more renewable energy in manufacturing the product and that greenhouse gas emissions are restricted.
• Sustainable water policy Companies have to demonstrate that they are using water in a responsible and efficient manner. The objective is to guide companies towards a sustainable water policy resulting in a production process that has a positive impact on water sources.
• Social fairness Safeguarding the interests of all parties involved in the business, such as the employees, customers, the community and the environment

The Nordic Ecolabel is a certificate awarded to products which meet the strict environmental, quality and health requirements set out in the Nordic Ecolabelling Programme. It guarantees an environmentally-friendly production chain from 'cradle to grave', the highest product quality and product functionality in practice.

Products are assessed on the basis of 4 requirements:

• Environmental requirements: The entire life cycle of the product, from raw materials to waste, is analysed and must be environmentally-friendly.
• Quality requirements: The functionality of the product is extensively tested. Microfibre products must successfully remove dust and dirt, absorbing up to 85% of the micro-organisms, and are tested for their absorption capacity.
• General requirements: Even the packaging must result in a low impact on the environment. It is also verified that the correct labels and instructions for use are present.
• Regulatory requirements: Licence holders of a Nordic Ecolabel must ensure that legislation and regulations with regard to safety, the environment, the working environment, installation, etc. are adhered to.

Microfibre products carrying the Nordic Ecolabel offer the best quality, are sustainable, have an exceptionally long life cycle, contribute to the reduction of water and air pollution, and are not harmful to the surface that has to be cleaned.

The label is valid for three years after which the organisation has to apply for a new licence for the product. This protocol ensures that products retain their high quality.

ECOCERT is an independent organization that operates in more than 130 countries. It supports sustainable initiatives in the form of certification, advice and training services. ECOCERT originally focused on organic agriculture, but has since expanded to textiles, cosmetics and cleaning products, among others.

For cleaning detergents, the “ECODETERGENT” certificate was designed. This certificate not only ensures the guarantees above, but also includes a thorough assessment of the packaging and transportation. In addition, the product has to be demonstrably biodegradable, and all waste treatment must make maximum use of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” principle.

In this way, the entire life cycle of the product is taken into account in obtaining the ECOCERT ECODETERGENT certificate.