Introducing C2C Certified® Circularity
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute proudly launches C2C Certified® Circularity, a new product certification to reshape sustainable product design and manufacturing by empowering companies of all sizes to intentionally develop products for the circular economy.
Product Circularity, Verified
One of the most impactful actions companies can take today for both people and the planet is to design products optimized for circularity. Intentional design for circular systems unlocks major sustainability benefits on carbon, waste, and air and soil quality. Based on the recently updated Cradle to Cradle Certified® Version 4.1 standard, this new certification offers measurable goals to guide all aspects of circular product development – from design and sourcing, to circular systems, packaging, and material health.
Backed by rigorous third-party verification, C2C Certified® Circularity enables companies to confidently communicate their tangible steps toward circular economy leadership. As a supportive tool for compliance, the certification helps companies meet and go beyond evolving regulatory standards while fostering innovation in circular design.
Elwyn Grainger-Jones, Executive Director at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, emphasized the urgency for circularity: "Building on the success and network of Cradle to Cradle Certified®, this new certification will help companies create thousands more verified circular products that consumers can trust. As we continue to exceed critical planetary boundaries, the need for circularity in product design is more urgent than ever.”
About C2C Certified® Circularity
The requirements for C2C Certified® Circularity focus on Product Circularity, one of the five core categories of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® framework. These requirements are structured around three key areas: circular sourcing, circular design, and circular systems. This comprehensive approach ensures that products are intentionally designed for their next use and actively cycled within their intended pathways, such as reuse and/or recycling paths– decoupling value creation from carbon emissions, turning waste into resources, and increasing long term resilience.
“Expanding our portfolio with C2C Certified® Circularity is an excellent development in the 20-year legacy of the program, to further drive the shift toward safe, sustainable, and circular production practices,” said William McDonough, Co-founder of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. “This new certification reinforces the vital importance of circularity and regenerative practices to innovate into a world where products are designed for use and next use as perpetual, clean assets for future generations.”
Alignment with EU and US Regulations
One of the standout features of C2C Certified® Circularity is its ability to help companies stay ahead of existing and upcoming regulations and reporting requirements. C2C Certified® Circularity goes beyond the baseline requirements of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) by tackling the problem of waste at the source, and generates a third-party verified Circularity Data Report that sets companies up for the Digital Product Passport (DPP); and, in the US, helps companies meet growing state-level requirements to reduce waste through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, recycled content and recycling requirements.
“As companies navigate the emerging landscape of EU regulations, this new certification helps set them up for both compliance and innovation,” said Christine Lemaitre, Chief Executive Officer of DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) and Chair of the Board of Directors at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Leveraging the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Standard, network and recognition
C2C Certified® Circularity is based on Cradle to Cradle Certified® Version 4.1 standard – the most advanced, science-based sustainability product standard available. This new certification, alongside the existing full standard and Material Health category certifications, leverages the global recognition of Cradle to Cradle Certified® and more than two decades of experience in circularity innovation, benefiting from established leadership and extensive network capabilities, with nine expert Assessment Bodies and a global community of hundreds of companies with certified products.
“At Gensler we know that circularity is an essential approach for designing resilient, sustainable spaces. By closing the loop on materials and energy flows, we create buildings that not only minimize waste but actively contribute to the regeneration of our planet,” said Rives Taylor, Principal and Director of Gensler Research Institute Resilience Center, and Board Member of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. “C2C Certified® Circularity will scale up availability of products for our projects which, as articulated in Gensler’s Product Sustainability Standards, drive healthier, lower-carbon, and more sustainable materials in the built environment.”
Rooted in Cradle to Cradle® Design Principles
Cradle to Cradle® design principles were pioneered by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. These principles revolutionize product creation by transforming how products are made– ensuring materials are continuously cycled in either the biological or technical cycle. Additionally, the principles stimulate the use of healthy, non-toxic substances, harness renewable energy, and convert waste into valuable resources. They also embrace social fairness and inclusivity, shaping a future where products benefit both people and the planet.
Accessible Pathway for all Companies
The C2C Certified® Circularity certification presents an accessible pathway for companies of all sizes to create and verify circular products. Whether a small company or a multinational brand, this opens the door for more companies to embark on the Cradle to Cradle Certified® journey and select the pathway to meet the standard.
"Establishing a global product circularity standard across sectors is vital; it sets the stage for brands and manufacturers to align on best practices that minimize waste, optimize resource use, and foster circular design innovation. Together, we can step by step transform industries into sustainable ecosystems that respect our planet and communities, avoid climate breakdown, and help double global circularity by 2032," said Hilde van Duijn, Managing Director of Circle Economy Foundation.
About the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the circular economy. Through the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program, the Institute sets the global standard for circular product design, driving the transition to a circular economy where every material and product positively impacts both people and the planet.
The Institute certifies products based on the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard, an advanced and holistic framework encompassing five core areas of sustainability: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness. In addition to the full Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification, the Cradle to Cradle Certified® program offers two specialized certifications based on the full Product Standard: C2C Certified® Material Health and now C2C Certified® Circularity, each allowing companies to focus on different aspects of sustainable design and manufacturing.
Founded in 2009, the Institute is headquartered in San Francisco, California, US and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its dedicated international team supports companies and manufacturers across sectors in adopting the standard, offering comprehensive solutions to implement circular business models and address global sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.c2ccertified.org.