Certificates: Proof of our progress
Our Green Care Professional portfolio offers a broad assortment of certified products. For all areas of application we have products that have earned at least one certification. This fact distinguishes us from other manufacturers and makes clear that genuine sustainability has to be practiced in the entire company if it is to be credible. We are a pioneer in the industry with the most Cradle to Cradle® certified products and are proud that we have proof of the recyclability of our formulas and our packaging.
At our production sites in Mainz and Hallein, we implement the highest quality and environmental standards and see them reflected in our certifications.
Holistic sustainability is multidimensional
Numerous aspects must be covered
Product certifications
Cradle to Cradle
Typ-I-Ecolabel
The Type-I-Ecolabel is an environmental label certified in accordance with criteria of ISO 14024 “Environmental Labels and Declarations – Type 1 Environmental Labelling – Principles and Procedures”. These Ecolabels are distinguished by their transparency and credibility as they are issued by an indepedent body. Type 1 environmental labelling therefore is an important and sufficient factor for many calls for tenders. Every Green Care Professional product receives a Type-1 environmental label (except for Biobact Scent). European Ecolabels concentrate on increasing eco efficiency. Ecolabel products are less environmentally harmful; however, products may still consume materials irreversibly and use fossil-based raw materials and energies.
In addition, the quality level of all awarded products is evened out because—without gradations in certification results—no further differentiation is made beyond the criteria. Some European countries may develop their own country-specific Type 1 environmental labelling based on the EU Ecolabel. Criteria may vary by region and focus, but may not be weaker than the EU Ecolabel requirements. Examples are the Blue Angel (Germany) and the Nordic Swan (northern European countries).
EU Ecolabel
Nordic Swan
Austrian Ecolabel
Air Label A+
Packaging certifications
RAL Quality Mark Recycled Plastic
The “RAL Quality Mark Recycled Plastic” shows that plastic is obtained from household waste collections like the Yellow Bag. The quality requirements ensure that the origin of the plastic can be traced through every phase of the process. It is possible to see where the plastic comes from, starting with the sorting process in recycling facilities to the use of the recycled material in new products. The RAL Quality Mark indicates how much post-consumer recyclate (in percent) is used in all the primary packaging (e.g., bottle + cap + label). With the RAL Quality Mark, the packaging of the Green Care Professional range can verifiy its high recyclate share in the complete primary packaging.
Building certifications
LEED
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Environmental & Energy Design, is a classification for high-quality ecological buildings. It is both a guideline and an incentive for the development and realization of sustainable construction projects. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is considered one of the world’s most widely used certifications for green buildings. In 2012 the headquarters in Mainz was awarded LEED Platinum, the most demanding sustainability certification for buildings. The new construction was then Germany’s first industrial management building in the highest award class. Most impressive is the building’s energy efficiency. With wind power, photovoltaic cells and geothermal groundwater use, the building generates 20 percent more energy than it needs for ongoing operations.