As awareness grows regarding the imperative need for sustainable practices, it’s evident that merely reducing or offsetting the damages caused by our activities is insufficient. We must go further, aiming to restore and enhance life in all its forms, making tangible abundance a reality. This perspective finds resonance in the Cradle to Cradle Certified® standard, recognized globally as the most ambitious and practical framework for designing and manufacturing healthy, circular, and responsible products.

Cradle to Cradle Certified® version 4.1 is coming and we can help you to get it

The introduction of C2C Certified® Version 4.1 emerges as a necessity in our evolving landscape, where it stands out as the only standard adapting to the demands of a changing market and increasingly stringent regulatory environment. More than just an update, Version 4.1 Certification represents a significant improvement built upon three years of experience with its predecessor. Meticulously crafted, it offers a more accessible framework without compromising the rigor characteristic of C2C standards. Companies embracing this standard are truly pioneering products designed for tomorrow.

Among the enhancements in this new version are several impactful improvements across different certification categories:

• Material Health Category: within the Bronze level, chemical restrictions now align more closely with key regulations, providing a solid foundation for the comprehensive evaluation of chemical toxicity in products.
• Product Circularity Category: further incentives are provided for reuse, remanufacturing, and similar cyclical pathways, promoting a more holistic approach to the circular economy.
• Clean Air and Climate Protection Category: more options are introduced to achieve signifiant renewable energy usage goals and address emissions during product manufacturing, highlighting the standard’s commitment to climate change mitigation.
• Water and Soil Protection Category: significant improvements include updated requirements for third-party water treatment, offering a more viable and robust approach to sustainable water and soil resource management.
• Social Fairness Category: modifications in Bronze level requirements now focus on manufacturing facilities while ensuring alignment with key international guidelines, such as the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

Rooted in the visionary design principles outlined in “Cradle to Cradle, remaking the way we make things” by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle Certified® solidifies its position as the leading multi-attribute, science-based standard. It provides a benchmark framework for designing and producing products destined for the circular economy—a comprehensive path toward continuous improvement and verification of products aimed at fostering a healthy, equitable, and sustainable future.

Effective from July 1, 2024, C2C Certified® Version 4.1 is accompanied by a suite of guidance documents and new communication tools to confidently showcase achievements and align with the EU’s new legal requirements. The support of the Cradle to Cradle Community, from assessors to accredited collaborators and advisors like EIG, has been instrumental in the evolution of this new version.

At EIG, we are committed to assisting companies and organizations in navigating the path toward a fairer, regenerative economy for all. We offer expert guidance and practical solutions for the successful adoption of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® standard. Only by working together can we truly make a positive impact.