According to Cradle to Cradle, products are designed and produced in such a way that the raw materials, materials and waste can be infinitely reused (‘waste is food’). In addition to our own waste, waste from other users can also be processed. C2C also focuses on the use of renewable energy.

Cradle to Cradle is not only a concept but also an internationally recognised label for products that have been produced in a safe, circular and responsible way. Products with a C2C certificate comply with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® product standard, as drawn up by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII), a non-profit organisation founded in 2010 by the creators of the sustainability concept, Prof. Michael Braungart (EPEA) and architect William McDonough (MBDC). Unlike an EPD, a C2C certificate is proof that a product can be reused at the end of its lifecycle and that the materials are fully recyclable.

To achieve C2C certification, a product is assessed in five categories of sustainability: use of materials (healthy and safe), possibilities to reuse the materials, use of renewable energy and carbon management, water management and social justice. The product is given a performance level for each category: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The final certification of the product is determined by the lowest performance level achieved in the five categories.

C2C applications are supervised by accredited evaluators such as EPEA GmbH. They submit their findings to C2CPII, which evaluates them and can issue a C2C certificate. A C2C certificate is valid for two years. Renewal is possible if the certificate holder can demonstrate progress in each of the five certification categories during recertification. This encourages manufacturers to continue to innovate.

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