Environmental and social considerations are playing an increasingly important role in product selection. Consumers are demanding environmentally friendly and fairly produced products, and companies are meeting this demand. Different labels have been introduced to enable clients to recognise these products at a glance.
These certificates and labels recognise companies that voluntarily comply with specific binding sets of rules. The labels thus demonstrate the company’s commitment, for example, to energy savings, the environmentally friendly use of raw materials, sustainable forestry or the absence of aggressive substances in products.
Each label represents different standards. Independent controls and regular controls form the basis for trustworthiness.
Here we present some of the most common labels in Germany.
FSC®
Environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management – that is what the FSC® label stands for. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) fixes the standards for this label and ensures that certified companies are audited by independent assessors. FSC® Chain of Custody certification ensures the traceability of FSC®-certified materials throughout the supply chain.
PRÜM also holds this certification.
PEFC
PEFC is a system for certifying sustainably managed forests and the supply chain. PEFC Chain of Custody certification documents the supply and processing chain for PEFC-certified wood. The companies involved must meet the requirements of the PEFC standard, particularly with regard to sustainably managed forests and social aspects. Regular audits by independent certification bodies make it possible to trace how certified wood is transferred and processed from the forest to the product.
PRÜM also holds PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
eco-INSTITUT
For over 30 years, the eco-INSTITUT has been one of Germany’s most renowned laboratories for indoor air quality analysis. The label belonging to the eco-INSTITUT tests building products, furnishings and bedding against different criteria. Emissions, odours and ingredients play a decisive role in this control.
If a company is awarded the label, the certification is valid for two years. This means that every company must always demonstrate that its products comply with the emission limits. An eco-INSTITUT certificate is only awarded to producers who undergo these controls regularly and whose products are low-emission. PRÜM’s products have also proven themselves and bear the eco-INSTITUT certificate.
C2C Certified®
The C2C Certified® label is awarded by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Products are assessed across five categories: material health, reusability, renewable energy and CO₂, water management, and social equity. There are five certification levels: Basic, bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
You can read more about the Cradle to Cradle principle here.
ISO 50001
ISO 50001 certification is one of the most widely recognised standards for assessing and documenting a company’s energy policy. The key criterion is that companies have the obligation to continuously improve their energy performance. In practical terms, this means that certified companies must work continuously to reduce their energy consumption year after year.
PRÜM is also certified under the ISO 50001 energy management system. Using energy efficiently, saving valuable resources and reducing costs, and cutting emissions – these are key priorities. PRÜM works every day to save energy and thereby also reduce CO₂ emissions.
You can find out more about our energy policy here. Our group’s sustainability strategy can be viewed here.
