The VinylPlus® Product Label is the new sustainability label for PVC construction products. Products that are characterised by high performance and sustainability can now be easily recognised by customers, processors and sales markets with this certificate.
This currently applies to PVC window profiles from the following six manufacturers: Deceuninck, Epwin Window Systems, Internorm, Rehau, Schüco and VEKA. All of these companies were awarded the VinylPlus Product Label this year. Two other companies are currently undergoing the demanding certification process.
"The VinylPlus Product Label audit was a real challenge for us, as it was in addition to other audit procedures that we already carry out in the company. But the effort was worth it and it was a valuable experience to measure our previous commitment to sustainability against the high standard of the new sustainability label," says Jürgen Herbe, Head of Public Relations at VEKA.
Certified PVC building products are reliable and henceforth easy to recognise. The sustainability label was developed by VinylPlus, the European PVC industry's voluntary commitment to sustainable development, together with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and The Natural Step (TNS).
The VinylPlus Product Label can be used for a PVC product or a product group. It can only be awarded to VinylPlus partners who pursue a holistic sustainability strategy in their companies and whose processes for a product fulfil eight core criteria.
The criteria include the responsible procurement of PVC raw materials and additives, closed material cycles and recycling, a sustainable energy strategy and process management requirements.
"The VinylPlus Product Label is designed to help companies emphasise their own products in terms of their outstanding performance and their contribution to sustainability. In this way, the products contribute to a functioning circular economy and thus fulfil the requirements of the VinylPlus programme," says Brigitte Dero, Managing Director of VinylPlus.
"With the help of the certificate, companies can now stand out from the competition and at the same time it makes it easier for buyers and planners to recognise high-performance and sustainable PVC products," says Dero. There are also benefits for the entire PVC industry. The audit process is designed to ensure continuous progress in the areas of energy efficiency and product innovation. It also promotes awareness of sustainability.
Brigitte Dero continues: "The VinylPlus Product Label confirms our commitment to strengthening PVC as a material. We are convinced that the new sustainability label is an important driver for PVC products, as the positive social, economic and ecological contribution of PVC is undisputed."
VinylPlus is the European PVC industry's voluntary commitment to sustainable development. The aim is to create a long-term sustainability framework for the entire PVC value chain in Europe and worldwide.
Further information on the VinylPlus Product Label can be found at: https://productlabel.vinylplus.eu/.
