How Cradle to Cradle Certified® and ESCP Are Empowering Ethical and Circular Product Design

As global businesses face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and prove ethical sourcing, many are searching for a credible, actionable solution. Enter Cradle to Cradle Certified®, a globally recognized sustainable product certification that helps companies go beyond compliance to create products that are safe, circular, and socially responsible.

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Backed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, this certification goes further than most supporting design for a regenerative future. For companies looking to lead in the circular economy, it’s fast becoming a gold standard.

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What Is Cradle to Cradle Certified®?
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Cradle to Cradle Certified® (C2C Certified®) is a science-based sustainability certification that evaluates products across five key performance areas critical to both people and planet:

• Material Health – Are ingredients safe for humans and the environment?
• Product Circularity – Is the product designed for reuse, recycling, or composting?
• Clean Air & Climate Protection – Does prouction support clean energy and reduced emissions?
• Water & Soil Stewardship – Are ecosystems protected through responsible water use?
• Social Fairness – Are human rights, fair labor practices, and ethical operations upheld?

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This holistic approach ensures that companies are embedding sustainability and ethics into product development at every stage.
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Today, Cradle to Cradle Certified applies across multiple industries including toys, apparel, personal care, furniture, and building materials, giving both businesses and consumers confidence in truly sustainable products.
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Ethical Supply Chains: A Key Component of Circular Product Certification
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Recognizing the importance of social responsibility in supply chains, Cradle to Cradle Certified® recently partnered with the Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP), not-for-profit specializing in supply chain auditing, worker well-being, and labor rights.

As an approved verification partner, ESCP’s factory certification can now be used as verified evidence for meeting Cradle to Cradle Certified’s Social Fairness requirement, simplifying the path to certification and increasing accountability across global supply chains.
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This partnership is also paving the way for joint education efforts, including webinars and training sessions, to help businesses build ethical and circular supply chain practices from the ground up.
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“ESCP and Cradle to Cradle Certified® both exist to help businesses operate more ethically. This partnership means we can work together to help more organisations demonstrate their commitment to embracing more ethical, sustainable practices.”
– Carmel Giblin, CEO and President, ESCP
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Schleich®: Real World Impact
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The benefits of this partnership are already being seen in the toy industry. German toy manufacturer Schleich®, known for its detailed hand-painted figures, is using ESCP’s factory certification to meet social fairness criteria on its journey toward Cradle to Cradle Certification®.
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“ESCP’s factory certification program will be an easy and efficient route to meet the Social Fairness requirement and propel us towards Cradle to Cradle Certified®. In doing so, we ensure that our toys are fully circular, while also guaranteeing that they are produced in a social and environmentally friendly way.”
– Dr. Philipp Hummel, Head of Global Sustainability & EHS, Schleich
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By integrating circular product design with ethical manufacturing standards, Schleich is demonstrating how toy companies can contribute to a more sustainable future without compromising on quality or creativity.
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A Regenerative, Responsible Future for Product Design
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With environmental and social challenges intensifying, Cradle to Cradle Certified® offers a practical framework for companies ready to lead the way. Through strategic partnerships–like that with ESCP–it enables businesses to achieve measurable sustainability goals, ensure supply chain transparency, and create products that are safe, ethical, and built for the future.|

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Interested in integrating circular design and social responsibility into your business?
Contact the Ethical Supply Chain Program at membership@ethicalsupplychain.org
Learn more about the certification at c2ccertified.org