What is Cradle to Cradle®?

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a global standard for products that are safe, circular and responsibly produced. The design concept was developed by German chemist Professor Michael Braungart and American architect William McDonough. The C2C design concept is inspired by nature and ensures all resources are used effectively within closed cycles. The goal is not only to minimise negative impacts but also to create a positive environmental footprint. Within the C2C concept, products produced at the end of a cycle are not considered as waste but as raw material for a new cycle.C2C Certified® is a holistic approach in which products and processes are assessed in five different categories. Products can become C2C Certified® if they meet certain criteria. The five categories are: <ul><li>Material health</li><li>Product circularity</li><li>Clean air & climate protection</li><li>Water & soil stewardship</li><li>Social fairness</li></ul>For more detailed information, see<a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/" custom="[object Object]" linktype="url">https://www.c2ccertified.org/</a>

What do Cradle to Cradle Certified® and the circular economy have in common?

The circular economy is part of the C2C Certified® concept. The goal of the circular economy is to optimise the use of resources and drastically reduce the amount of waste in production processes. The C2C Certified® principle also strives to achieve a perfect cycle. This means that the raw materials should be returned to the cycle after they have been used. The goal is to achieve a production process that is 100 per cent sustainable.

What makes the C2C Certified® standard different?

The C2C Certified® approach differs from conventional approaches in that it not only aims at minimising the carbon footprint, but also strives for a perfect circular economy in which the end products create a positive carbon footprint. For Tridonic, this means rethinking the entire production process. We want to be a reliable partner for all our stakeholders and support our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals. The Cradle to Cradle Certified® approach helps us to do this.

Who controls the Cradle to Cradle® certification system?

The C2C Certified® certification system is managed by the <a href="https://c2ccertified.org/" custom="[object Object]" target="_blank" linktype="url">C2C Products Innovation Institute</a> (C2CPII), a non-profit organisation that certifies products following an audit.To meet the C2C Certified® requirements, Tridonic works with specialists from the external consultancy firm <a href="https://epea.com/" custom="[object Object]" target="_blank" linktype="url">EPEA GmbH </a>(Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency) – Part of Drees and Sommer. EPEA is an innovation partner and a C2C assessment body.

What is Tridonic’s goal with regard to Cradle to Cradle?

Our long-term goal is to build a complete C2C Certified® portfolio. Our first C2C-certified products are already on the market. In addition, the <a href="/en/int/company/press/pr-2022-led-drivers-generation-4" uuid="d0bc9b2d-c948-4f71-94f1-4e88985aad8c" custom="[object Object]" target="_self" linktype="story">first Generation 4 LED drivers </a>have an EMC (Externally Managed Component) declaration. These drivers are VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-tested to ensure that our products are suitable for C2C luminaire projects. Further C2C Certified® projects are continuously being carried out with the aim of expanding Tridonic’s portfolio.

What is an Externally Managed Component (EMC) declaration?

The EMC declaration covers the first two categories of the C2C Certified® standard – material health and product circularity. The EMC declaration is intended to encourage manufacturers to design complex components in such a way that they can be completely disposed of after use. This methodology allows the use of product components that do not need to be assessed in the same way as the rest of the product.Especially in B2B, the EMC declaration offers the following advantages: <ul><li>The product or product group can be used by other manufacturers seeking C2C Certified® certification.</li><li>The buyer knows that the product does not have a negative impact on air quality during or after use.</li><li>Traceability is established for the products/product groups (e.g.: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or WEEE for short).</li><li>Not every supplier of the product/product group has to be contacted (clear time saving in the development of C2C Certified® products).</li></ul>

How can luminaire manufacturers certify luminaires?

On the website of the Cradle to Cradle® Product Innovation Institute you will find a guide for certification. This explains the six steps that are required for certification.<a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/get-certified/product-certification-process" custom="[object Object]" linktype="url">https://www.c2ccertified.org/get-certified/product-certification-process</a>

What are the requirements for each level of certification?

Detailed information can be found in the Cradle to Cradle Certified® product standard and the Cradle to Cradle Certified® user guide, which can be found on the Products Innovation Institute website: <a href="https://www.c2ccertified.org/get-certified/cradle-to-cradle-certified-version-4" custom="[object Object]" linktype="url">https://www.c2ccertified.org/get-certified/cradle-to-cradle-certified-version-4</a>

How can Tridonic suppliers support the Cradle to Cradle Certified® projects?

For a project to be successful, we need the support of our suppliers. The information we need from them relates to the first category, material health. We therefore need a complete material declaration that defines the raw material up to a limit value of 100 ppm. We also require confirmation that the list of banned substances has been complied with.

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