4. Nature positive

What renewable, metal, mineral or fossil material is used?

• Fossil = 0 points
• Peat = 0 points
• Metal = 5 points
• Mineral = 5 points
• Renewable (within 100 years) = 8 points
• Renewable (within 5 years) = 10 points

Explanation

In terms of impact on the environment during extraction and after use, renewable materials have the least environmental impact since the environment needs to be taken care of to ensure proper growing of the renewable biomass. For metals and minerals the natural environment is harmed through the mining. For fossil fuels environmental impact is the highest both during extraction (e.g. oil spills) as after use (e.g. plastic soup).

What is the level of environmental protection in the country of origin?

• Yes, the raw materials are sourced from an area with an Environmental performance score <50 = 0 points
• Yes, the raw materials are sourced from an area with an Environmental performance score between 50 and 70 = 5 points
• No, the materials is sourced from areas with an Environmental performance score >70 = 10 points

Explanation

The country of origin of raw materials determines the risk of negative environmental impact, but actual impact depends on the supplier. The score is based on the Environmental Performance Index. For the scoring of the environmental impact only the top 10% of countries get a maximum score, while the top 30% get half the score.

A low score can be compensated when the supplier has signed our supplier code of conduct and the most recent environmental audit (by us or another third party) has not shown any material environmental findings.

Is there a potential for pollution of air, water or soil during extraction? ?

• Yes, and mitigation actions are not sufficient = 0 points
• Yes, and mitigation actions prevent pollution = 5 points
• No, extraction causes no significant pollution = 10 points

Explanation

Pollution can both come from natural origin (e.g. terpenes in wood fiber) as synthetic origin (e.g. chemicals used for buffering coir). Only when extraction of raw materials has no emissions (excluding emissions from fuel use) to air, water or soil the maximum score can be reached.

The potential impact of extraction of materials excludes accidents. The occurrence of harmful emissions should be part of the common processes, since there’s always a chance for accidents, however small.

What is the level of environmental performance in the country of processing?

• Yes, the raw materials are processed in a country with an Environmental performance score <50 = 0 points
• Yes, the raw materials are processed in a country with an Environmental performance score between 50 and 70 = 5 points
• No, the materials are processed in a country area with an Environmental performance score >70 = 10 points

Explanation

The country of processing of raw materials determines the risk of negative environmental impact, but actual impact depends on the supplier. The score is based on the Environmental Performance Index. For the scoring of the environmental impact only the top 10% of countries get a maximum score, while the top 30% get half the score.

A low score can be compensated when the supplier has signed our supplier code of conduct and the most recent environmental audit (by us or another third party) has not shown any material environmental findings.

Is there a potential for pollution of air, water or soil during processing?

• Yes, and mitigation actions are not sufficient = 0 points
• Yes, and mitigation actions prevent pollution = 5 points
• No, extraction causes no significant pollution = 10 points

Explanation

Pollution can both come from natural origin (e.g. terpenes in wood fiber) as synthetic origin (e.g. chemicals used for buffering coir). Only when extraction of raw materials has no emissions (excluding emissions from fuel use) to air, water or soil the maximum score can be reached.

The potential impact of processing of materials excludes accidents. The occurrence of harmful emissions should be part of the common processes, since there’s always a chance for accidents, however small.

Does the product have any emissions to air, water or soil that could harm biodiversity?

• Yes and no user instructions for how to reduce emissions in application = 0 points
• Yes and user instructions for how to reduce emissions in application = 5 points
• No, potential emissions never reach harmful levels = 10 points

Explanation

The minimum effort that we can do is to make sure that users of our products are given guidance to prevent any harmful levels of emissions from occurring, although most of our products don’t have any harmful emissions, which in terms of product design is the ultimate goal.

How much of the raw material suppliers are certified?

• 0% of the raw material supplier(s) are third party certified according to a reliable certification scheme = 0 points
• 100% of the raw material supplier(s) are third party certified according to a reliable certification scheme = 2 points

Explanation

Based on how much of the raw material suppliers are certified, a maximum of 2 bonus points can be achieved. The maximum bonus points are lower to reflect the fact that certification is good, but it is better when nature protection is an integral part of local regulations and practices already.

Certifications that currently qualify for bonus points are: ISO14001, RPP, FSC, PEFC, Global G.A.P and MPS G.A.P..