A holistic approach
Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program is a 5-criteria protocol that evaluates how safe and healthy a product is for humans and the environment.
The methodology was originally created by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry and has been soundly tested and applied to nearly 400 products, resulting in carbon reductions of over 13 million metric tons and one million pounds of toxic reductions. It has been adopted by industry giants Steelcase, Herman Miller, and government leader, the U.S. Postal Service. Our certification is an open and transparent evaluation system that represents the broadest, most comprehensive product certification available.
The protocol is compatible with normative standards established by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Carbon Disclosure Project, GEMI, World Resources Institute, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, UN Aquastat, Green Screen, Social Hotspots, and others. For a full listing of third party references consulted in the drafting of the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program, please click here.
How to get started
Assess a product
The first step is to assess the product down to the parts per million and all process elements.
If you already understand the depths of your supply chain, know your GHG numbers and more, start by reviewing the protocol to see if you have missed anything. Then, you can either contact a consultant to walk you through the process or go through our training program and submit your application to our auditors.
Review Your Product
The next step is to optimize your product to meet Cradle to Cradle® threshold levels.
If you find something in your product is problematic and won’t pass certification, you can work with our recommended assessors or look through our preferred materials or join a group of like-minded folks to pursue alternatives.
Innovate better solutions & verify
The certification application must be reviewed by one of our approved auditors. We have partnered with multiple entities to administer independent audits against the Cradle to Cradle® certification protocol.
Once it passes, the Institute issues a certificate, co-signed by the auditor.
Product registry
Finally, the Institute will list your certified product on our registry. All products are published with a scorecard, letting users know all you have achieved! Proprietary information is kept confidential. However, we encourage you to be as transparent as possible.
