Colour, texture and performance are instrumental in the
design and manufacture of flooring, but companies also have to take
sustainability into serious consideration. Most reputable manufacturers are now
employing responsible manufacturing processes that combine customers‘
preference for quality, with care for the environment as standard - backed up
by ISO 14001 certification, with raw materials and energy used efficiently,
waste recycled wherever possible and emissions kept to an absolute minimum.
However, ISO 14001 only relates to the actual production
process, rather than assessing the environmental credentials of the individual
products themselves. Therefore
when considering a selection of products, being able to take
into account any eco labels or accreditations they may hold is another useful
way of independently assessing them.
Eco labels and accreditations are independent assessments or
third party endorsements where the products have been externally assessed based
on strict environmental criteria, which set targets for them to achieve higher
sustainable objectives based, for example, on individual Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) elements.
One of the most highly regarded eco labels is the Nordic
Swan, which Forbo’s Marmoleum was first awarded in 1996 and has successfully
retained. Maintaining the accreditation is an indication of continued
commitment to ever improving performance, as with each re-certification the
performance standard is raised.
The Swan label is a voluntary, cost-effective and simple way
of communicating environmental work and commitment as well as quality to
customers and suppliers. The Swan label indicates that the product’s
environmental impact is less than other corresponding products - without
compromising performance characteristics.
A group of experts, including representatives from the
appropriate sectors of industry, work on the Swan label in order to develop the
criteria according to new regulations or requirements, to make this
accreditation unique and well-deserved. For example, requirements for raw
materials have recently been updated to stipulate that at least 50% by weight
of the floor covering must comprise of renewable raw materials
The proposals go from the group out for public review. After
this, the relevant experts in the various Nordic countries process the criteria
documents, with the Nordic Eco-labelling Board finally approving the criteria.
Companies applying for a licence to use the Swan label must
provide results from independent testing to prove that the criteria has been
met. The Swan organisation checks that products fulfil the criteria using
methods such as samples from independent laboratories, certificates and control
visits. Approximately every three to five years, the criteria documents are
reviewed and applications for new licenses have to be made for products
carrying the Swan label, according to the revised criteria.
Other recognised eco labels include The Netherlands
Environmental Quality Mark, which covers the whole life cycle for packaging and
product information against strict requirements, while the New Zealand
Ecolabelling Trust is initiated and endorsed by the New Zealand Government, to
reduce the environmental impact of products.
Here in the UK, The Green Guide measures the environmental
rankings of products based on LCA’s, using BRE's Environmental Profiles
Methodology 2008. The Green Guide
is part of BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) an accredited
environmental rating scheme for buildings. The Green Guide contains more than
1500 specifications used in various types of building.
This data is set out as an A+ to E ranking system, where A+
represents the best environmental performance / least environmental impact, and
E the worst environmental performance / most environmental impact. Across
various building element categories, the Guide provides an extensive catalogue
of building specifications covering most common building materials.
There has been much in the press recently on greenwash and
the difficulties we face unravelling the spin surrounding environmental
messages. Manufacturers that actively seek third party assessments and
independent labels go some way to alleviate this, by demonstrating a solid
basis from which to support sustainable product claims.
