Sustainability has long since become a central aspect of public procurement. Certificates and labels play an important role in proving the environmental and social compatibility of products. They provide reliable guidance and help decision-makers to identify products that meet high environmental and social standards. In this blog, we shed light on the importance of certificates and labels in public procurement and present some of the most important seals such as FSC, Blue Angel and Cradle to Cradle.
Why are certificates and labels important in public procurement?
Transparency and trust:
- Certificates and labels create transparency about the ecological and social properties of a product. They provide certainty that the stated properties such as freedom from harmful substances, sustainable material procurement or fair working conditions are actually complied with.
- Public institutions often have to make complex decisions and comply with a large number of regulations and guidelines. Certificates and labels make it easier to meet these requirements and at the same time communicate them credibly to the outside world.
Compliance with legal requirements:
- In many countries, public institutions are obliged to take environmental and social standards into account when procuring products. Certificates such as the Blue Angel or FSC can help to meet these requirements and ensure legally compliant procurement.
- By considering certified products in tenders, public institutions are sending out a strong signal for sustainable business practices. In this way, they support manufacturers who are committed to environmentally friendly and socially just production methods and contribute to the establishment of sustainable markets.
Long-term cost savings:
- Products with sustainability certificates are often more durable and of higher quality. They result in lower follow-up costs, for example due to fewer repairs or a longer service life, and are often more cost-efficient over their entire life cycle.
Important certificates and labels in public procurement
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council):
- The FSC certificate guarantees that wood and wood products come from responsibly managed forests. It ensures that ecological, social and economic standards are adhered to. FSC-certified products promote the preservation of biodiversity, protect the rights of the indigenous population and guarantee fair working conditions.
- In public procurement, FSC is particularly relevant for the procurement of furniture, paper products and construction timber. It ensures that these products do not originate from overexploitation or illegal logging.
Blue Angel:
- The Blue Angel is the oldest environmental label in the world and recognizes products and services that are particularly environmentally friendly. It evaluates criteria such as resource conservation, freedom from harmful substances, durability and recyclability.
- The Blue Angel provides clear guidance for public procurement. Products bearing this label often meet comprehensive environmental and health standards and are therefore ideal for use in schools, offices and other public facilities.
Cradle to Cradle:
- Cradle to Cradle is a comprehensive certification system that recognizes products that are not only environmentally friendly but also recyclable. It evaluates material health, recyclability, the use of renewable energy, water management and social responsibility.
- Products that are Cradle to Cradle certified can be fully returned to the biological or technical cycle. They leave no waste behind, but are designed in such a way that they can be used again as raw materials at the end of their useful life. This makes Cradle to Cradle particularly valuable for sustainable procurement in terms of the circular economy.
EU Ecolabel:
- The EU Ecolabel is an eco-label recognized throughout Europe that distinguishes products and services that have a low environmental impact. It takes into account the entire life cycle of a product – from the extraction of raw materials to production and disposal.
- For public institutions, the EU Ecolabel offers reliable guidance in the selection of environmentally friendly products that meet high standards and are also available throughout Europe.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100:
- This label is particularly relevant for textiles. It guarantees that textile products have been tested for harmful substances and are harmless to health. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 also includes requirements for environmentally friendly production.
- In public procurement, OEKO-TEX is primarily taken into account when selecting furniture upholstery, curtains and other textile furnishings.
Bruno Wickart’s consulting services for public institutions
Bruno Wickart supports public institutions in making the right decisions regarding sustainable procurement. We offer comprehensive consulting services to help you select certified products that meet your sustainability requirements.
Individual advice on certificates and labels:
- We offer detailed advice on the various certificates and help you understand the meaning of each label. This enables you to ensure that the products you select meet the desired environmental and social standards.
Selection of suitable products:
- We carry a wide range of products in our range that have been awarded various sustainability certificates. These include furniture from renowned manufacturers such as Vitra, USM, Girsberger and Sitag, which meet the highest standards of quality and environmental compatibility.
- We support you in selecting suitable products that are not only environmentally friendly, but also functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Support with tenders:
- We help you to formulate the necessary tender criteria and provide the appropriate evidence of compliance with environmental and social standards. In this way, we ensure that your procurement processes are transparent and legally compliant.
Long-term support and training:
- In addition to product advice, we also offer training courses and workshops to raise your employees‘ awareness of the importance of certificates and labels in procurement. In this way, we help to ensure that sustainable procurement is firmly anchored in your facility in the long term.
Conclusion
Certificates and labels play a crucial role in public procurement. They provide reliable guidance and help to ensure that environmentally and socially responsible products are preferred. With the right certificates, you can not only meet legal requirements, but also promote sustainable markets and save costs in the long term.
Bruno Wickart is at your side as a competent partner to help you make the right decisions when choosing certified products. Contact us today to find out more about our consulting services and our wide range of certified furniture. Together we can create a sustainable future for your furniture.
Source information:
https://www.woeb.swiss/de/toolbox
