Products of Change partner, the Ethical Supply Chain (ESCP), has been verified as an approved Social Fairness partner by multi-attribute standard, Cradle to Cradle Certified.
Used globally across industries by designers, brands, and manufacturers, Cradle to Cradle supports companies to design and make circular products fit for a healthy, equitable, and sustainable future.
Products are assessed via five key pillars, including Social Fairness, which focuses on social commitment and working conditions along the supply chain. This includes respect for fair labour, human rights and a just society. Under the partnership, ESCP’s factory certification programme is recognised as evidence a company meets requirements of the Social Fairness section of Cradle to Cradle Certified.
The ESCP and Cradle to Cradle Certified partnership will also include collaborative efforts to help businesses create more sustainable, ethical and circular supply chains through a series of educational webinars, editorials and future events.
Carmel Giblin, CEO and president at the Ethical Supply Chain Program, said, “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. Through the partnership, we also hope to raise awareness of the positive impact of certification programmes and help build knowledge on circularity and social compliance across a wide range of industries.’’
Elwyn Grainger-Jones, executive director of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII), stated, “The collaboration between ESCP and C2CPII exemplifies how partnerships can drive progress, positive impact and facilitate transitions. To maximise impact and efficiency, C2CPII acknowledges reliable programmes that meet aspects of our comprehensive, multi-category standard. This approach helps eliminate redundant audits, saving companies valuable time, effort, and costs.”
German toy company, Schleich GmbH, is one organisation that has used ESCP’s factory compliance programme to accelerate their journey towards Cradle to Cradle Certified certification of their Circular Schleich Toy Figures.
Dr Philipp Hummel, head of global sustainability & EHS at Schleich GmbH said, “As a member of the Ethical Supply Chain Program, their factory certification programme 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. Every production step meets high standards for climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness, with the supply chain monitored for human rights.’’
