The certification is based on the principles of eco effectiveness, which were developed by the architect William McDonough and the process engineer and chemist Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart. The goal is to design products in such a way that they can be returned to biological and technical cycles. C2C certification looks at a product holistically, with an evaluation made in five categories:

1. Material health: All materials in the product should be harmless for humans and the environment.
2. Product circularity: After use, the materials should be recycled or composted easily.
3. Clean air and climate protection: The manufacturing process should have positive effects on air quality, the supply of renewable energies and the impact of greenhouse gases on the climate.
4. Water and soil protection: Responsible handling of water and the soil eco systems is important for certification.
5. Social responsibility: The manufacturer must comply with human rights laws and apply fair and just business practices.

Besides the formulations, the packaging may be assessed against C2C criteria. The C2C certification is managed by the non-profit organization Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Compared to conventional Ecolabels, C2C certification is distinguished by its holistic approach and its emphasis on the circular economy. The certification results are divided into different levels of Gold, Silver and Bronze. Green Care Professional offers the broadest Cradle to Cradle portfolio of professional cleaning products.

The EU Ecolabel is valid throughout the European Union and is awarded by national certification bodies. It is issued by the EU for products and services. Among other things, the EU Ecolabel aims to limit hazardous ingredients, protect aquatic organisms, encourage use of degradable ingredients and reduce the use of plastic in packaging. Other EU Ecolabel criteria include sustainable procurement of palm and palm kernel oil derivatives, understandable instructions for use and proof of performance.

The Nordic Swan is the official Ecolabel for Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). It is the toughest Type 1 Ecolabel in Europe. The Nordic Swan differs from the EU Ecolabel in that it has very strict limits for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), for toxicity to aquatic organisms, and for aerobic and anaerobic degradability. The Nordic Swan also demands sustainable procurement of palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives. In addition, it excludes the use of dyes and skin sensitizing preservatives. Nordic Swan criteria for designing packaging for recycling are stricter too (e.g., labels have to pass a wash-off test). 

As the Austrian Ecolabel was specifically conceived for the Austrian market, it is particularly relevant and respected in that country. Unlike the EU Ecolabel, it does not allow any ready-to-use spray applications for all-purpose cleaners. However, the Austrian Ecolabel does certify floor care products.

Air Label Score is the first international label that distinguishes products which guarantee high indoor air quality. The development is based on ISO 16000-3, ISO 16000-6 and ISO 16000-9, all of which relate to indoor air pollution. Every tested product is given a score of A+ (very low emissions) to C (high emissions) that reflect the toxicity risk from inhaling the detected pollutants. Green Care Professional offers a broad product portfolio with an A+ Air Label Score.

The “DermaTest” label stands for independent dermatological testing of products. Products that come into direct contact with the skin when used as specified (e.g. hand dishwashing detergents) or that have indirect skin contact through the materials to be cleaned (e.g. detergents) must undergo a dermatological test to prove that they are harmless to the skin. The test ensures the skin compatibility of the products and proves a lower risk of allergic reactions or irritations. Green Care Professional offers a product portfolio with a 5-star rating and an excellent rating from DermaTest.

The “RAL Quality Mark Recycled Plastic” shows that plastic is obtained from household waste collections like the Yellow Bag. The quality requirements ensure that the origin of the plastic can be traced through every phase of the process. It is possible to see where the plastic comes from, starting with the sorting process in recycling facilities to the use of the recycled material in new products. The RAL Quality Mark indicates how much post-consumer recyclate (in percent) is used in all the primary packaging (e.g., bottle + cap + label). With the RAL Quality Mark, the packaging of the Green Care Professional range can verifiy its high recyclate share in the complete primary packaging.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Environmental & Energy Design, is a classification for high-quality ecological buildings. It is both a guideline and an incentive for the development and realization of sustainable construction projects. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is considered one of the world’s most widely used certifications for green buildings. In 2012 the headquarters in Mainz was awarded LEED Platinum, the most demanding sustainability certification for buildings. The new construction was then Germany’s first industrial management building in the highest award class. Most impressive is the building’s energy efficiency. With wind power, photovoltaic cells and geothermal groundwater use, the building generates 20 percent more energy than it needs for ongoing operations.

EcoVadis certification is an assessment system for companies’ sustainability practices. A company is assessed in four categories of labor and human rights; ethics; sustainable procurement; and the environment. The overall result is assigned to the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Companies are told how many points were earned in each of the categories. That information makes the EcoVadis certification an instrument that helps companies improve their sustainability practices and create transparency in reports on their social and ecological impact. In 2022 Tana-Chemie was able to defend its EcoVadis Platinum certification for the second year in a row (2021 and 2022). The rating placed Tana-Chemie among the most sustainable companies in the world as only one percent of all assessed companies achieve the top grade.

EMAS certification (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is an award granted by the European Union to companies whose activities and operations are particularly environmentally friendly. EMAS helps businesses to assess and improve their environmental impact by providing a framework that ensures companies continuously measure their environmental performance, improve it and report on progress. Werner & Mertz has voluntarily had its environmental impact validated against EMAS criteria annually since 2003 in Mainz and since 2005 in Hallein (Austria).

DIN ISO 14001 is the world’s most widely accepted and applied standard for environmental management systems. By fulfilling the requirements specified by the international norm, companies can improve their environmental performance, meeet their legal obligations, and reach their environmental goals. Compliance with the requirements is checked annually by an independent auditor. Tana-Chemie GmbH in Mainz and Werner & Mertz Professional Vertriebs GmbH in Hallein are ISO 14001-certified.

DIN ISO 50001 is the world’s most widely accepted and applied standard for energy management systems. By fulfilling the requirements specified by the international norm, companies can increase their energy efficiency and improve their energy performance. Compliance with the requirements is checked annually by an independent auditor. Tana-Chemie GmbH in Mainz and Werner & Mertz Professional Vertriebs GmbH in Hallein are ISO 50001-certified.