The National Sustainability Institute & SGS launched GSES Product Certification methode – Circular Product Footprint
The National sustainability institute of the Netherlands has developed the Circular Product Footprint to expand the GSES system. The Circular Product Footprint has been further developed in cooperation with SGS Search in order to properly measure all products from all different sectors on circularity. The CPF can be used worldwide.
End users of products and raw materials can see exactly how circular their end product is by using a QR code. the PCW (Potential Circular Worth) and why. The QR code linked directly to the international database in which all information about the product such as the production process, the used raw materials and elements, circular bussines model, waste processing method etc can be viewed.
The Circular Product Footprint is a workable method that uses, among other things, a mandatory circular business model and clearly shows the definition of circularity. The CPF works with the following exemptions; Cradle to Cradle, GRS, Bluesign.
“With the Circular Product Footprint method, we offer a global solution for the generic measurement of circularity of raw materials in finished products and projects at a later stage, enabling us to create awareness among end-users of a product through this method.” says Gert Jan Vroege of SGS Search.
Testcase Circular Product Footprint of the Ecocab NEO from Merford Cabins
To test out the Circular Product Footprint we present the CPF of a Merford product. A large proportion of the Merford products contribute to a sustainable working and living environment. Consider, for example, the fire doors, acoustic absorption materials and Merford ergonomic operator cabins. In addition, more and more of the Merford products, whether or not partly, are constructed from recycled materials. A good example of this is the Ecocab NEO, the crane cab that consists of recycled and recyclable materials. This is why the National Sustainability Institute is very proud of the Ecocab NEO as a test case for the Circular Product Footprint.
“The NDI and SGS have tested different products from different sectors and are launching the Merford Cabins test case in June 2018. Merford Cabins measures its Ecocab NEO through the Circular Product Footprint.This cabin already has a Cradle to Cradle certificate and that makes this case just so interesting! ” according to Kelly Ruigrok, founder of the NDI, GSES and developer of the Circular Product Footprint.”Merford Cabins has been investing for decades in providing sustainable solutions for crane operators, so that they remain vital and can carry out their work in a pleasant and professional manner.” With the Ecocab NEO we are just going one step further. the products in the industrial sector can also be produced with the utmost respect for people and the environment The Cradle to Cradle certificate is a nice reward for this innovation, but in the end it is all about the fact that everyone looks a bit further than normal. we are proud to be involved in this project of the NDI. ” according to David Buschman, general manager of Merford Cabins.
Complete overarching sustainable product certification
The Circular Product Footprint is the first of a three-stage generic overarching product certification which can measure all products from all sectors worldwide.
As a follow-up to the Circular Product Footprint, the Environmental Product Footprint will follow. The EPF certification is based on the ISO 14040 and the PEF. This will be launched by the NDI soon. In order to properly measure all products from all different sectors on an environmental friendly production process, we need a generic method that can be used worldwide.
The NDI also works with, Royal Haskoning DHV on the Health Product Footprint. The HPF method and HPF certification are also launched in 2018. The HPF is developed in order to properly measure all products from all different sectors on health risks. The EPF and HPF are certifiable both separately and in addition to the CPF.
As in the GSES system at company and chain level, the product certifications also work with exemptions so that the standard at product level is also functionally.
