_FAQ
_Answers to frequently asked questions
What does Cradle to Cradle (C2C) mean?
Cradle to Cradle® is a design principle developed in the 1990s by Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart, William McDonough and EPEA Hamburg. It stands for innovation, quality and good design. Translated, it means “From cradle to cradle” and describes the safe and potentially infinite circulation of materials and nutrients in cycles. All ingredients are chemically safe and recyclable. Waste in today's sense no longer exists, only usable nutrients.
In biological cycle Materials such as cleaning agents or textile abrasions can be safely returned to nature, where they become nutrients for new products. In technical cycle Durable goods such as electronics or floor coverings are designed in such a way that their materials can be broken down into their raw materials after use and reused without losing quality.
What are the principles of C2C?
1. Producing nutrients instead of waste: Each product should be reusable in a high-quality way.
2. Using renewable energy: Processes require energy; this energy should come from renewable sources.
3. Recognize diversity: Diverse systems are more resilient. This insight can also be applied to products.
Why is C2C certification useful?
C2C Certified is a product certification that serves as independent proof of product quality. It proves the suitability of the product for the biological or technical cycle and enables credible communication about product performance. In addition to using the certificate independently, C2C Certified is certified in building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM and DGNB recognized. C2C Certified is also a common criterion in public tenders.
How can my product be Cradle to Cradle certified?
An assessor, such as EPEA, will assist you in preparing for certification. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute then reviews the submitted documents and awards the certificate. There are three types of certificates with different focuses: Material Health Certificate (focus on material health), Circularity (focus on circularity), Full Scope (all categories). Learn more
How does a Cradle to Cradle certification work?
EPEA will work with you to create a project plan that defines all important steps and the respective responsibilities up to receipt of the certificate. Recertification is required every three years. Since the ingredients of the product are examined in detail, suppliers and sub-suppliers must be involved in the process. Confidential information, such as recipes, will be protected by confidentiality agreements. EPEA has the role of knowledge trustee here. If substances are discovered that do not meet the requirements, they must be replaced. This optimization process is central to C2C certification.
What is the difference between circular economy, recycling and C2C?
In a circular economy, value creation is achieved through the use and reuse of materials. Recycling is part of the reuse of materials, but often leads to downcycling, i.e. a loss of quality of the material. Cradle to Cradle is the method for an intelligent circular economy. Here, materials circulate in consistent quality in order to permanently maintain the values created in production processes.
How does Cradle to Cradle differ from other labels?
In contrast to company certificates such as ISO 14001 (environmental management) or building certificates such as DGNB, Cradle to Cradle certification relates to a specific product. According to ISO 14024, it is a “Type I” environmental declaration. This means that defined criteria are reviewed and verified by external experts. The results are communicated via the label as qualitative and verifiable information. The evaluation is carried out in stages: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. In contrast to the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), which is considered a “Type III” environmental declaration and can be created for any product, only products that meet high C2C standards receive certification.
How expensive is C2C certification?
The price of a certification depends on the complexity of the product and the type of certificate considered. EPEA will be happy to provide you with a non-binding cost estimate for your specific case. Feel free to contact us directly via the contact form.
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